The Diamondbacks have opted for a minor pitching change, as they will be turning to Joe Mantiply instead of Slade Cecconi for tonight’s game against the Rangers.
This start will mark Mantiply’s second in his MLB career. His previous start occurred against the Rockies just six days ago. Although his outing was limited to the first inning, Mantiply efficiently secured three outs using just 13 pitches, without allowing any baserunners.
And the 32-year-old brings some experience against the Rangers, having thrown 1.1 shutout innings when the Diamondbacks visited Texas earlier in May.
Throughout this year, whether in relief or as a starter, Mantiply has recorded a 6.65 ERA across 20 innings of work.
On the other hand, rookie Slade Cecconi has made two starts for Arizona this season, each spanning four innings and resulting in two earned runs allowed.
The reasons behind the Diamondbacks’ decision for this switch remain unknown.
Despite the Rangers currently enduring a four-game losing streak, they undeniably possess one of the most potent offenses in baseball. Ranked only behind the Braves, Texas boasts a team batting average of .270 and an impressive OPS of .799.
The first pitch to kick off this two-game series is set for 6:40 PM tonight.
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