D-backs’ start tied for franchise-best mark, puts them in a good spot overall
Jun 14, 2017, 12:06 PM | Updated: 1:44 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb (22) greets teammate Paul Goldschmidt after hitting a two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Through 66 games, at 40-26 the 2017 Arizona Diamondbacks have tied their mark for the best start in franchise history.
It’s a good sign, as in the three other years they got off to this kind of start (1999, 2001 and 2002) the D-backs won the NL West.
The D-backs are not alone in the 40-win club, as the Astros (44-22), Dodgers (40-25) and Rockies (41-26) are also currently members.
Although the D-backs are off to this amazing start, they’re still in third place behind the Dodgers and Rockies, though they are just a half game back of the division lead.
The good news is history seems to be in their favor, since of the 46 different MLB teams since 2000 to have 40 or more wins on June 14, 37 (including the 2001 and 2002 D-backs) went on to make the playoffs.
Here’s how this season’s D-backs compare to the three other three Arizona squads that started 40-26.
| 1999 (100-62) | 2001 (92-70) | 2002 (95-67) | 2017 (40-26) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA Leader | Luis Gonzalez (.336) | Luis Gonzalez (.325) | Quinton McCracken (.309) | Paul Goldschmidt (.323) |
| HR Leader | Jay Bell (38) | Luis Gonzalez (57) | Luis Gonzalez (28) | Jake Lamb (16) |
| RBI Leader | Matt Williams (142) | Luis Gonzalez (142) | Luis Gonzalez (103) | Jake Lamb (57) |
| Team BA | .277 | .267 | .267 | .262 |
| Team HR | 216 | 208 | 165 | 90 |
| Team ERA | 3.77 | 3.87 | 3.92 | 3.55 |
| Team Strikeouts | 1,198 | 1,297 | 1,303 | 610 |
| Saves Leader | Matt Mantei (22) | Byung-Hyun Kim (19) | Byung-Hyun Kim (36) | Fernando Rodney (17) |
| Best ERA | Randy Johnson (2.48) | Randy Johnson (2.49) | Randy Johnson (2.32) | Robbie Ray (2.62) |
| Most Strikeouts | Randy Johnson (364) | Randy Johnson (372) | Randy Johnson (334) | Robbie Ray (107) |
| Longest Winning Streak | 5 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Longest Losing Streak | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
