From the Offices of Stats Perform: D-backs at Rockies Weekend Series
Both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies are playing .500 ball in the second half of this season – after both clubs were well below .500 in the first half.
Both are among the most improved teams in the National League since the break.
NL Teams, 2021 – Largest Increase in Win Pct, 1st Half 2nd Half
Diamondbacks +.217 (.283 .500)
Braves +.162
Brewers +.124
Cardinals +.111
Rockies +.060 (.440 .500)
The Diamondbacks’ improvement is the largest in MLB from the first half to the second.
In recent weeks, Arizona has gotten excellent starting pitching at home – but not so much on the road.
Diamondbacks, Aug 3 — Present – Starting Pitching Home & Away
Home Away
Games 10 5
W-L 4-2 1-4
ERA 2.21 7.03
Opp Avg .188 .313
Opp OPS .605 1.004
Arizona has won six of its last seven games, the offense coming to life. In the previous seven games, however, the Diamondbacks’ bats were anemic.
Aug. 4-11 Aug. 12-19
Team W-L 1-6 6-1
Runs (per game) 24 (3.4) 37 (5.3)
Batting average .210 .309
Home Runs 2 6
OPS .568 .860
The Rockies have had success at Coors Field, but they are currently on one of their best-ever Coors Field stretches, having won seven consecutive home games, and scoring six or more runs in each of them.
Rockies Consecutive Home Games With Win & 6+ Runs Scored
8 games May 2000
7 games Aug. 5-active
7 games July-Aug 2002
7 games Aug-Sept 2006
Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon has enjoyed his success against Arizona in the last three seasons. He has the second highest RBI total against a single opponent among NL players over that time.
Player RBI vs. Single Opponent
Freddie Freeman 42 vs. Marlins
Ryan McMahon 38 vs. Diamondbacks
Manny Machado 37 vs. Rockies
Charlie Blackmon 36 vs. Padres
Freddie Freeman 36 vs. Phillies
Two of the hottest hitters in MLB are on displayed at Coors Field this week. Josh Rojas of Arizona, who came off the injured list Aug. 10, leads the way since his return, but C.J. Cron of the Rockies is close behind.
MLB Players Highest BA Since Aug. 12
Josh Rojas, D-backs .577
Frank Schwindel, Cubs .464
Freddie Freeman, Braves .448
C.J. Cron, Rockies .440
Matt Duffy, Cubs .440
Luis Roberts, White Sox .440
A rare aspect to Arizona pitcher Tyler Gilbert’s no-hitter against the Padres on Saturday is he struck out only five hitters. That is the fifth lowest total among pitchers who have thrown a no-hitter in the last 25 years.
(minimum nine innings)
Francisco Liriano, Minnesota, May 3, 2011 at White Sox 2 strikeouts
Justin Verlander, Detroit, May 7, 2011 at Toronto 4 strikeouts
Hernandez Alvarez, Miami, Sept. 20, 2013 vs. Detroit 4 strikeouts
Alex Mills, Chicago Cubs, Sept. 13, 2020 at Milwaukee 5 strikeouts
Tyler Gilbert, Arizona, Saturday vs. San Diego 5 strikeout
The Rockies rotation is enjoying pitching at Coors Field this year, and right-hander Austin Gomber has taken it a step farther. He is on pace for the lowest single-season ERA in Coors Field history (minimum 40 innings)
Pitcher Year ERA
Austin Gomber 2021 1.70
Manuel Corpas 2007 1.96
Juan Nicasio 2011 1.98
Adam Ottavino 2013 2.00
Brian Fuentes 2003 2.40