By the numbers: The D-backs’ daunting schedule starts now
Aug 24, 2018, 10:01 AM
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, yells at Arizona Diamondbacks' Steven Souza Jr., right, after Souza collided with third baseman Max Muncy while attempting to steal third during the fifth inning of a baseball game, while Arizona third base coach Tony Perezchica separates the two in Los Angeles, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
(AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
It’s starting to get real.
The Arizona Diamondbacks (71-56) open a three-game series against a 72-56 Seattle Mariners squad Friday night before facing three National League West opponents bridging August into September. Atop the division, the D-backs are grouped right in a messy race. Should they falter, they could find themselves in an even more busy NL Wild Card chase.
So it’s concerning that Arizona’s schedule is, arguably, the most difficult remaining slate in MLB.
Here’s a look at the D-backs’ remaining schedule as the playoffs loom.
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38-26
With the exception of the Mariners, the Diamondbacks have already faced the seven other teams they’ll see the rest of 2018. And good news: they’ve gone 38-26 (.594) against all those pretty good teams.
.532
Baseball Prospectus’ strength of remaining schedule metric says Arizona has the toughest remaining schedule based on roster composition and third-order win percentage. Adjusted for home and away matchups, a .500 is considered an average strength of schedule.
27 of 35
That’s the number of games against winning teams for Arizona through the end of the season.
6 of 8
Six of the eight opponents left on the schedule are teams above .500. Only the San Francisco Giants (63-66) and San Diego Padres (50-80) are losing teams.
7 of 11
Seven of the 11 series left for the Diamondbacks come against NL West squads. Arizona plays at San Francisco (Aug. 27-29), at Los Angeles (Aug. 30-Sept.2), at home against San Diego (Sept. 3-4), at Colorado (Sept. 10-13), at home against the Rockies (Sept. 21-23), at home against the Dodgers (Sept. 24-26) and at the Padres (Sept. 28-30).
3
Three teams left on the schedule — the Atlanta Braves (Chase Field, Sept. 6-9), Chicago Cubs (Chase Field, Sept. 17-19) and Houston Astros (Minute Maid Park, Sept. 14-16) — are leaders in their respective divisions.
.534
That’s the combined road record for Arizona’s six opponents that it will host at Chase Field. Arizona plays Seattle, San Diego, Atlanta, Colorado, the Cubs and the Dodgers in 18 home outings.
.493
Perhaps the D-backs will find more success on the road than they will playing in Phoenix. The combined home winning percentage for Arizona’s remaining opponents on their home fields is .493. Of the Giants, Dodgers, Rockies, Astros and Padres, only San Francisco has a better home record than road record.
18
This adds to the expectation the D-backs just might win more on the road. With 35 games remaining on the schedule, 18 come at Chase Field. Arizona, however, has a better road winning percentage (.578) than at home (.540).
1
From Sept. 6-26, the D-backs face three division leaders and 10 games against NL West contenders Colorado and Los Angeles. Oh, and they only have one day of rest on Sept. 20 during that span.
