A final look at the D-backs’ 2020 season: By the numbers
Sep 29, 2020, 11:30 AM | Updated: 2:23 pm
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers play in an empty Chase Field during the fourth inning of the Diamondbacks' home opener baseball game Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Arizona Diamondbacks season came to an end sooner than many had thought this season.
While the team went to work in the offseason, adding ace Madison Bumgarner and other pieces to the lineup, injuries and missed opportunities summed up the team’s abbreviated 2020 season.
With their season over and done with, here’s a final look at the D-backs’ year:
Missing The Mark
The D-backs’ pitching staff won 25 of its 60 games this season, 25th in MLB.
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Bumgarner won his only game of the year in the season finale and failed to post a quality start in 2020. He finished the season 1-4 with a 6.48 ERA. Bumgarner gave up 30 earned runs on 47 hits, including 13 home runs. he struck out 30 and walked 13.
Of the starting pitchers, Gallen was the leader in the clubhouse, posting nine quality starts in 12 outings. Unfortunately, Gallen didn’t get much help offensively or in the bullpen in those starts, going 3-2. He, Taylor Clarke and Merrill Kelly led all Arizona pitchers with three wins apiece.
Bullpen in a China Shop
The D-backs bullpen managed 13 saves in 22 opportunities in 2020, good enough for 16th in Major League Baseball. Seven of those saves came from now-Cincinnati Reds pitcher Archie Bradley. Stefan Crichton, who took over for Bradley, accounted for six saves. Hector Rondon led the team with seven holds. The relievers were mostly behind the eight ball throughout the season, entering a game 74 times with a lead compared to 102 times facing a deficit. They only entered the game 24 times with a tie game in play.
Sputtering Offense
The D-backs turned in one of the worst offensive showings in 2020. The team finished 29th in home runs (58), 19th in RBIs (255) and 18th in runs scored (269). Adding to the hitting woes was the strikeout totals, with the team posting the third-most in the league with 461. Only the Washington Nationals (451) and the Houston Astros (440) had more.
Triples for Days
While the D-backs offense fell into ruts throughout the season, Arizona was a top team in the league for triples with 12. Only the Colorado Rockies (16) and the San Francisco Giants (14) accumulated more over the course of the season. Third baseman Eduardo Escobar paced the team with three triples, followed by two from catcher Daulton Varsho.
A Walking Double
A bright spot in the D-backs’ lineup was first baseman Christian Walker. Walker posted 18 doubles this season, good enough for fourth in MLB. He also posted seven home runs and seven RBIs, second on the team.
Calhoun Came to Play
With injury woes and a dip in production plaguing 2019 All-Star Ketel Marte, outfielder Kole Calhoun stepped up as the team’s best offensive weapon. In his first year with the team, the Arizona native led the team with 16 homers, 40 RBIs, 28 walks and a .526 SLG.
Downward Trends
The D-backs strung together losing streaks of at least two games eight times this season. Their worst stretch of the season came when they lost 18 of 20 games from Aug. 18 to Sept. 9. The worst part? The dropoff in victories happened after the team rattled off six straight wins.
