Just Long Enough to Come Back Around

 

The thing about Michael Soroka is that it was always a possibility that he would come back around to pitching like he did in 2019. That was always something that could happen, even if injuries, general struggles and control issues commenced ever since. It was just a matter of who would be the last team not to lose their patience. The Braves got tired of waiting, the White Sox, the Nationals, arguably the Cubs. So when the Diamondbacks signed the 28-year-old to a 1-year deal, it was as risky as it was for everyone else. Maybe it happens. Maybe it doesn't. 

But when Michael Soroka's first start as a Diamondback broke Randy Johnson's record for the most strikeouts in a debut performance for Arizona...I think the D-Backs felt a lot better about themselves. Soroka is clearly high risk/high reward, but the reward sometimes can be sheer dominance. And it seems that Soroka is still capable of dominance. 

The Diamondbacks have gotten lucky in that respect a few times over this year. Aside from Soroka, the D-Backs have gotten two strong, scoreless starts from Eduardo Rodriguez, who struggled through injuries the first two years of the contract. They've gotten flawless work from Jonathan Loiasiga, who struggled to stay healthy in New York. They called up Jose Fernandez just in time for him to hit 2 homers in his debut. Even Zac Gallen, who's struggled the last few years, is returning to his former glory. The theme of this D-Backs team right now is 'we're alright with waiting, as long as what we're waiting for is worth it.' Soroka, Rodriguez and eventually Corbin Burnes will make up a backbone of this rotation, and it took the team not giving up on any of them. It'd be easy to give up on E-Rod, considering they just gave up on Jordan Montgomery. But the instincts to this team are still right, even if they're not blooming immediately.

This is the same team that has refused to trade Ketel Marte, didn't worry when Corbin Carroll had a hamate bone injury, allowed Merrill Kelly to leave only to re-sign him anyway, and are now stomaching yet another setback for Jordan Lawlar. They've got a plan. They just know it doesn't need to kick in immediately. And so they can enjoy the spoils even if, logically, they're playing for 2nd or 3rd.

So one of the spoils is this current matchup against the Braves. Michael Soroka is facing his former team, who is forced to start Bryce Elder due to trading away too many of their GOOD homegrown options. And as I write this he's been really strong. Only a handful of hits, an earned run, keeping it in the park. Bryce Elder, meanwhile, can't even make the easy out if it's handed to him. It'll be a cool upset if it happens, and it proves that the D-Backs have a surprising amount of early momentum. 

Coming Tomorrow- Ironically another former Braves starting pitcher they let go. This one's had a bit more consistent success, though.