March results
When we checked in at the beginning of March, spring training was under way. We had addressed the first-base situation, with Carlos Santana signed to provide veteran presence. However, Corbin Carroll had been forced to miss time due to a broken hamate bone in his hand – though fortunately, that proved to be less significant than was at first feared. We had also been forced to scratch Merrill Kelly from the intended Opening Day start in Los Angeles. On the other hand, the beginning of spring training is usually
a time for optimism: on average, fan confidence over the years has ticked up by about a quarter-point between February and March. How did we do this year?
Definitely an uptick compared to last month, particularly in the “7” category. This more than doubled, going from just 15% at the beginning of February, to 37% at the start of March. With “6” remaining relatively static (down a couple of ticks, from 32% to 30%), it’s most the “5” category which lost out, being slashed in half from 29% down to 14%. The net result was an improvement in the average confidence from 5.36 up to 6.12. That’s still a lower figure than at the start of spring training than in 2024 (7.51) or 2023 (7.30), but is better than 2022 (5.67).
Below, you can see the breakdown for the past 12 polls’ results, followed by the line graph showing the trends over this and previous seasons.
April poll
I think it’s safe to say that the opening series against the Dodgers acted as a harsh reality check, even though two of the three losses were by a one-run margin. The D-backs got swept, and neither the offense nor the front of the rotation, nor the bullpen, performed as well as hoped. But, it turns out, the Diamondbacks just needed some good ol’ home cooking. They survived a bullpen meltdown to take the first contest against the Tigers, inflicted a bullpen meltdown on the Tigers – a much more enjoyable option – to win game two, then completed the sweep with a 1-0 shutout. They are now 3-3. Are we great? Are we terrible? I am so conflicted!
That’s what the poll below would be for. You can explain your decision in the comments, especially if your vote has changed from last time. Link for mobile.
