Amid D-backs’ hot season, Zack Greinke lights-out at home
Jul 8, 2017, 4:25 PM | Updated: 10:33 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks' Zack Greinke throws a pitch against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 29, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
On Friday night, the D-backs returned home after being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road. Arizona needed a win, and it was fitting that their ace — Zack Greinke — was there to stop the bleeding and do what he’s done so well all season:
Pitch well at home.
The right-hander took the bump and proceeded to pitch seven scoreless innings on four hits, one walk and seven strikeouts, earning the win. It was the latest performance during a season in which Greinke — and his team — have been superb in their own ballpark.
Of course, the right-hander is no slouch, regardless of if he’s pitching at home; He’s 11-4 with a 0.997 WHIP and was recently named an All-Star.
But Greinke’s dominance at home, specifically, has helped lift the Diamondbacks to a 33-13 record at home and 53-34 mark overall.
Consider this: In the D-backs’ underwhelming 2016 season, the team-leader in ERA by a starting pitcher was Greinke, who posted a 4.37 ERA. And even then, his ERA at home (4.81) was worse than that on the road (3.94).
This season, it’s a completely different story.
The 33-year-old once again has the best ERA among D-backs starters, but this time, that mark sits at 2.86.
At home, Greinke’s ERA is 2.41. Even more impressively, he’s undefeated at 9-0, has a 0.873 WHIP and has struck out 89 hitters while walking just 13. He also boasts 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
And Among pitchers in baseball who have made at least 10 home starts, Greinke’s home ERA of 2.41 is second only to Milwaukee’s Jimmy Nelson (2.35).
A lot of things have gone right for the D-backs this season, and the team to be firing on all cylinders at home. But it certainly helps that their ace has been on-point in downtown Phoenix.
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