Entering the 2024 season, it looked like the Diamondbacks‘ biggest strength was going to be their starting rotation.
They already had a potent 1-2 punch in Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. Brandon Pfaadt seemed poised for a leap forward after an impressive showing in the playoffs. They signed two of the best free agent starters available in left-handers Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery. On paper, it looked like a top-10 rotation in baseball; arguably top five.
But so far in 2024, the Diamondbacks’ rotation has been their weakest link.
That fact was on display during the team’s Labor Day weekend series loss to the Dodgers, in which their starters posted a combined 6.75 ERA and 1.90 WHIP in 20 innings of work.
If we zoom out to the entire home stand against the Dodgers and New York Mets, D-backs starters have posted a 6.94 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in their past seven games. It’s no coincidence that the team went just 2-5 in that span.
“We got to be better,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said of his pitchers after Monday’s loss. “I believe in our pitching staff. I believe in our starters. I know that we’ve taken some lumps as a starting rotation. I know where we sit overall, but I believe in our guys and I know they’re better than what we’ve seen here and they’ll be the first ones to tell you that.
“We’re going to be fine, but we got to go out there and prep and execute. A win for me is doing the work. That’s the most important thing, getting the work done and doing it right.”
In a pivotal series finale on Monday, Rodriguez managed to keep the Diamondbacks in the game by allowing only three runs, but an elevated pitch count led to an early hook after four innings. The outing brought Rodriguez’s season ERA to 5.55.
Granted, Rodriguez’s subpar performance was far from the only reason that the Diamondbacks lost.
Neither Montgomery, who was recently moved to the bullpen because of how much he struggled in the rotation, nor right-hander Slade Cecconi, who was called up as bullpen depth when rosters expanded on Sunday, could hold the Dodgers at bay in relief. The Diamondbacks made plenty of other mistakes too, such as when Jake McCarthy tried (and failed) to steal second while slugger Josh Bell had a 3-0 count in the sixth.
Still, while Rodriguez’s performance was not detrimental, it also did not push the Diamondbacks toward victory. Such outings have been the norm for the D-backs for much of the season.
Analyzing Diamondbacks’ starting rotation struggles
So far in 2024, Diamondbacks starters have combined for a 4.85 ERA. That’s the third-worst mark in baseball, ahead of only the Miami Marlins and Colorado Rockies.
