Diamondbacks Pitching Rotation Struggles With Strikeouts
The team faces a challenging playoff race while relying heavily on pitching to contact to suppress runs.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Baseball
Live Poll
Do you believe your local professional sports team has a realistic chance of reaching the playoffs?
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitchers currently rank 29th in the league in strikeouts per nine innings at 6.59. This reliance on pitching to contact has become a focal point as the team battles the San Diego Padres for the final National League Wild Card spot.
Why it matters
The team's low strikeout numbers and poor expected ERA metrics indicate potential instability in their pitching strategy during the critical final stretch of the season. Maintaining low run-allowed totals via a high strand rate has proven difficult compared to more dominant strikeout-based rotations.
The rotation ranks 29th in K/9 at 6.59 and 28th in expected ERA. Starting pitchers also sit at 16th in MLB in ERA, while Eduardo Rodriguez maintains a 2.62 ERA and a 6.81 K/9 rate.
The players
Arizona Diamondbacks
An MLB franchise based in Phoenix that competes in the National League West division.
San Diego Padres
A professional baseball team currently competing with the Diamondbacks for a National League Wild Card spot.
Eduardo Rodriguez
A starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks who has maintained a 2.62 ERA this season.
Merrill Kelly
A veteran starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks who currently holds an ERA of 5.00.
Zac Gallen
A standout starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks who has recorded an ERA of 6.22.
The details
The pitching staff has transitioned to a contact-heavy approach, prioritizing defensive reliability over generating swings and misses. Despite this, key starters like Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen have struggled with ERAs of 5.00 and 6.22, respectively, as the team looks to activate Michael Soroka and Corbin Burnes from the injured list.
Timeline
Since August 1, the rotation has ranked 21st in strikeout percentage.
The 2023 season marked the team's notable World Series run.
These pitching metrics represent the current standing during the 2026 season.
Season Trajectory
The reliance on contact-heavy pitching represents a departure from the dominance required during the 2023 Diamondbacks World Series run. This approach complicates the current Wild Card race as the team attempts to hold off the San Diego Padres for the final postseason berth.
The low strikeout rate means the defense must maintain a high batting average on balls in play (BABIP) efficiency, which is currently ranked 10th. Fantasy owners should monitor the potential return of Michael Soroka and Corbin Burnes to see if they can bolster the rotation's K/9 figures.
The takeaway
The Diamondbacks must improve their strikeout efficiency to alleviate pressure on their defense during high-stakes games. Teams that rely heavily on pitching to contact often face higher volatility in run prevention as the season reaches its final weeks.
Further reading
Find more analysis on the team's postseason pursuit in our Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Arizona Sports.
Live Poll
Do you believe your local professional sports team has a realistic chance of reaching the playoffs?
