D-backs rotation bounces back in May

The Arizona Diamonbacks’ 14-13 record in May ranked third in the NL. Even with the improvement, the team sits 15 games out of the NL West and 7.5 games back from the second wild card.

After a disastrous start in March and April, the D-backs played better baseball in May by taking six of nine series.

How bad was that start?

After April, the D-backs were in last place in MLB at 9-22, including 3-15 at home. Out of 10 series, the team won one and split another.

The main culprit to the horrendous start was shaky starting pitching, with starters carrying a 5-18 record and a 6.29 ERA.

Right-handers Trevor Cahill and Randall Delgado were relegated to the bullpen after fizzling in the rotation. Cahill lost all four starts with a 9.17 ERA, while Delgado lasted just two starts and gave up nine runs in 7.1 innings pitched.

Pitchers Bronson Arroyo, Brandon McCarthy and Wade Miley all struggled, which was puzzling because of their proven track records.

In May, the starting pitching improved dramatically with an 11-8 record and a 3.72 ERA. Arroyo had the most noticeable improvement, shaving his ERA from 7.77 in April to 4.39 where it stands now.

Outfielder A.J. Pollock also burst onto the scene in May. Unfortunately, he fractured his right hand May 31, but was hitting .375 and stole eight bases in the month.

Even with the improvements on the mound, the D-backs still have the worst ERA (4.47) and run differential (-65) in MLB.

A 4.47 ERA doesn’t sound terrible, but today’s pitching-dominated world is a different era. The last time the MLB-worst ERA finished lower than 4.47 was in 1981 when the Seattle Mariners had a 4.23 ERA.