“It’s like pitching in a jungle” – Jordan Montgomery reflects on the intense humidity at Chase Field after a loss against the Phillies

A native of South Carolina, Jordan Montgomery is likely no stranger to pitching in extremely hot temperatures. However, as his most recent outing showed him, nothing could have prepared him for pitching in the desert.

The 2023 World Series winner with the Texas Rangers, Montgomery inked a one-year, $25 million deal with the D-Backs on March 29. Currently in the midst of one of the worst showings of his career, Montgomery commented on his most recent start on Thursday.

"It's like pitching in a jungle here sometimes. I don't know how it gets so humid, but I swear it's less humid in St. Louis during the summer than here," Jordan Montgomery said.

In his seventeenth start of the season on Thursday, Jordan Montgomery faced the Philadelphia Phillies. After allowing four earned runs on eight hits to log his sixth loss of the season, the 31-year-old slammed the humidity in Chase Field, claiming the experience was akin to "pitching in a jungle."

Temperatures outside Chase Field in Arizona hit a high of about 107.6 degrees, which although the roof was closed, contributed to a mugginess in the ballpark. Montgomery also said that he never found it so humid in Missouri during his stint pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals. Later in his quote about the humidity, Montgomery claimed that he "never found it as hot" pitching in St. Louis.

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The 2023 season was one of the most successful in Jordan Montgomery's career to date. In 32 starts split between the Cardinals and Texas Rangers, the left-hander went 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA, his best earned run figure ever. However, through 17 stars in 2024 for Arizona, Montgomery is 7-6 with a 6.37 ERA.

Jordan Montgomery has more than humidity to blame for 2024 collapse

Although the humidity in Arizona might have contributed to Montgomery's unraveling, the veteran ace has struggled all season. Montgomery's WHIP of 1.680 is the worst of his career, and he is on pace to set a career-high in walks. As he told SI after Thursday's game:

"I was mad about walking Schwarber, I've got to get the lefties out."

From velocity to control, Montgomery has struggled mightily in 2024. If it is indeed the humidity that he feels is to blame, then perhaps an exit from the D-Backs may be in his postseason future.