Zach Greinke is hardly having the season that he or the Diamondbacks (who signed him to a six-year/$206.5 million deal this past offseason) envisioned.
Through 140.2 innings pitched, he’s acquired a 4.54 ERA (4.01 FIP) and been worth just 2.2 fWAR (a year removed from being worth 5.8). Although he’s run into a number of problems here in 2016, one of his biggest issues has been allowing far too many home runs. But perhaps with his first return to Dodger Stadium – where he had a 1.46 ERA in 2015 – he’ll solve that problem and be the pitcher he has been for most of his career.
Yeah, nope:
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Upon returning to Dodger Stadium for the first time since signing with the Diamondbacks in the winter, Greinke’s final line was as ugly as it gets: 4.2 IP, 9 hits, 8 earned runs, 5 HRs. Luckily, Greinke had his control yesterday (0 walks), because five homers rarely amounts to just eight earned runs.
Despite having about a month to go, Greinke has already allowed more home runs in a single season (21), than he has since 2008. And, if he keeps up this pace, he’ll even have a chance at surpassing his career high (26) set in his rookie season.
Here are Greinke’s top five least favorite moments from Labor Day 2016:
I guess sometimes baseball isn’t always fun for everyone.