The Diamondbacks (71-68) enter play today one game behind the Reds (73-68) for the final National League Wild Card spot. They are also 0.5 games back of the Miami Marlins who are fourth in the NL Wild Card standings. They can't avoid a repeat of last night where the bats went cold against a bad opponent. They must win today to stay close to the Reds ahead of the massive Chicago Cubs series that begins tomorrow. The third game of the series will be today, with the first pitch scheduled for 12:40 p.m. MST.
Pitching Matchup
Zach Davies is coming off two strong starts since returning from the injured list. Since returning on August 26th, and against two playoff contenders, Davies has thrown at least five innings and allowed just a run in each start. Plus, he had at least five strikeouts. Over those two starts and 11 innings, he's given up nine hits, two runs, three walks, and struck out 11. That's good for a 1.64 ERA and 3.53 FIP. He's been exactly what the D-backs rotation doctor ordered. They need him to repeat that once again today as the team must win. He faced the Rockies once earlier this season and went 5.2 innings and gave up seven hits, three runs, and struck out four. On the season, his numbers are still not pretty with a 6.45 ERA and a 2-5 record over 14 games and 68.1 innings with 57 strikeouts and 30 walks.
Chris Flexen has struggled all season over his time with the Seattle Mariners and now the Colorado Rockies. On the season, he's pitched to a combined 6.89 ERA with 30 walks, 57 strikeouts, and 104 hits in just 78.1 innings. He's been better than that, if slightly, with the Rockies. Over his seven starts with Colorado, he's pitched to a 5.94 ERA, albeit a 6.73 FIP, with 45 hits, 11 home runs, 11 walks, and 28 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched. Only once in his last seven starts has he given up less than three runs. He faced the D-backs back on August 14th and went six innings, giving up five hits, four runs, one walk, and striking out six en route to a no-decision.
Lineups
The D-backs lineup is right-handed heavy today. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has three hits in eight at-bats against Flexen. Christian Walker is two-for-three with a home run and Tommy Pham is two-for-two against Flexen. Ketel Marte is hitless in ten at-bats against Chris Flexen. Meanwhile, Ryan McMahon has a .318 average over 22 at-bats against Zach Davies. Brendan Rodgers has a .200 average over 15 at-bats against Davies and Nolan Jones is one-for-three.
Walker and Carroll will look to stay hot and lead the Diamondbacks to another crucial win. Every win is precious as there are only 23 games left in the season. That isn't a lot of time to make up a game in the standings and leapfrog two teams. The Arizona Diamondbacks must figure out how to win today and enter the Chicago series with a good vibe.
More must-reads: