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More of the same came Tuesday night from Arizona Diamondbacks starter Jeremy Hellickson. Hellickson gave up five runs to the San Diego Padres, three coming in a disastrous opening frame. Though he made it through 6.2 IP, his ERA now sits at a very rough 6.55 through two starts.
Granted, Hellickson shouldn’t be blamed for the fifth run after Mark Trumbo made a terrible fielding decision, but the numbers still don’t look good, and Hellickson is still far from his 2011 AL Rookie of the Year form. His location was better, but it’s the same ole tune for the Diamondbacks. Hellickson hasn’t recorded a win since Aug. 6 of last season.
Hellickson’s start further emphasizes the unreliability of the Diamondbacks’ starting pitchers. Other than Archie Bradley’s debut, a starting pitcher hasn’t allowed fewer than three runs. With the state of duress of the current rotation, it’s going to be very difficult for Arizona to build the win column if the bats go cold.
As a team, the Diamondbacks currently hold a mediocre ERA of 4.08, 20th in the majors; however, the five Arizona starters have combined for a dreadful 5.12 ERA and only three wins on the young season. That’s not going to get it done. Sure it’s early, but the length of the season makes it difficult for most pitchers to improve as the year progresses. Factor in fatigue and inevitable injury, and those already grim numbers could balloon exponentially.
The pitching was the weakness going into this season, and with starts like Hellickson’s, it is living up to its reputation. Buckle up, Diamondbacks fans. Unless Chip Hale can drastically rally the troops, it’s going to be a bumpy road.
