In recent months, the Arizona Diamondbacks have witnessed a season that once held promise unravel nearly completely, with their record among the worst in Major League Baseball since June 20th.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!While blame can be attributed to various areas, none are as glaring as the offensive collapse that has plagued the Diamondbacks.
Brimming with a blend of youthful speed and formidable power, Arizona’s offense showcased itself as one of the league’s finest in the initial third of the season.
In April, the Diamondbacks ranked third in the MLB with a team batting average of .271. By May, they secured the eighth spot in runs scored with 137, and in June, they climbed to third place with 144 runs scored.
However, as June drew to a close, a dramatic shift occurred almost overnight. The team that once boasted the best record in the National League and a 16-game lead over .500 now feels like a distant memory.
Throughout July, the Diamondbacks struggled, ranking 25th in runs scored with an average of less than four runs per game. They also found themselves near the bottom in key statistics, including home runs (27th), SLG (25th), OPS (24th), and RBIs (29th). As a result, the D-backs concluded the month with a disappointing 8-16 record.
And this trend has so far continued into the month of August. In fact, the Diamondbacks have not scored more than five runs in a game since July 26th, which was a game that they lost 11-7.
This month, the D-backs are last in runs scored, last in doubles, 4th worst in batting average, and 3rd worst in OPS. Due to this crippling slump, Arizona remains winless as of August 12th.
So, what course of action can the Diamondbacks take to reverse this disheartening trend?
To initiate a turnaround, a crucial first step would involve parting ways with their hitting coach, Joe Mather. The fact that the Diamondbacks have yet to take this action is inexplicable.
Mather’s coaching journey saw him assume the role of the Cincinnati Reds’ hitting coach during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Returning to his hometown, he joined the Diamondbacks for the 2022 season. Regrettably, Mather’s performance in Arizona has fallen short of expectations.
While it might be somewhat more understandable if the Diamondbacks were completely out of playoff contention, this is far from reality. Despite their August struggles and holding the worst record since the All-Star break, the D-backs find themselves a mere three games away from securing a Wild Card spot.
Amidst the appearances of a team adrift, the reality is that 46 games still remain on the schedule, offering a window of opportunity to mount a playoff charge.
Given the current circumstances, dismissing Joe Mather stands as a necessary jolt that the Diamondbacks require to break free from their ongoing slump.
