Diamondbacks Have a Pivotal Series Lying Ahead

Robbie Ray is getting just 2.92 runs per game of support, hence his 3-5 record despite a solid 3.04 ERA. It's notable that expected metrics such as xERA (4.58) and FIP (4.92) are significantly higher than his ERA. Ray's 91.1% left-on-base rate is the second-highest in MLB.

Zac Gallen is a shell of his former self these days. He has an ERA over five, and he's earned it according to the advanced stats. He's not getting swing-and-miss on his fastball and not getting chase on his curveball. The former ace continues to search for answers after allowing seven runs, four earned in a loss to the Rangers on May 12.

Tuesday May 19, 6:40 p.m. MST

Landen Roupp has a solid 3.49 ERA and has allowed just 35 hits in 49 innings, including two homers. His advanced stats are almost a run lower than his actual ERA. He's given up nine runs in his last 13.1 innings, so the D-backs might be catching him at the right time.

Not an especially hard thrower, Roupp has a 93.2 MPH sinker and also throws a curveball and changeup for swing-and-miss and weak contact.

Ryne Nelson has turned his season around after two horrific starts in late April drove his ERA up to 7.71. Since the calendar flipped to May, he's given up just five runs in 19.1 innings for a 2.33 ERA this month.

He's struck out 19 and walked three during this stretch. The team has not given him run support though, as the D-backs lost each of the three starts while scoring six runs total in those starts.

Wednesday, May 20 12:40 p.m. MST

Tyler Mahle has either been lights out, giving up zero runs, or getting knocked around and allowing four or five runs lately. His ERA ballooned up to 5.59 after two rough starts most recently. The 31-year-old veteran has not faced the Diamondbacks since 2022.

Merrill Kelly is coming off his first ever complete game. He allowed one run in nine innings to the Rockies at Coors field on May 15. That came after allowing just one run in seven innings to the Mets on May 9. While his 5.91 stands alongside a 7.85 xERA and 5.92 FIP, Kelly clearly has turned a corner after an extremely poor start to his season in his first four starts.

Diamondbacks vs Giants Bullpens

The Giants' 3.45 reliever ERA ranks ninth in MLB, although it always needs to be remember they pitch in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in the league.

The Giants optioned struggling closer Ryan Walker to Triple-A on May 10 and have since been spreading save Chances around between Caleb Killian (1.80 ERA), Matt Gage (1.40 ERA), and Erik Miller.

Paul Sewald rebounded from a blown save in Texas to lock down the Sunday victory in Colorado. He is 10-for-11 in save chances, but also has four losses and a 4.41 ERA.

Brandon Pfaadt was shaky again as the long man in that game and was charged with four runs while recording just one out. He has a 6.34 ERA, and his roster spot might be in jeopardy.

Juan Morillo (1.83 ERA), Ryan Thompson (3.00), Kevin Ginkel (3.50), Jonathan Loaisiga (3.12) and Taylor Clarke (2.18) have all been solid. Clarke has allowed six of 11 inherited runners to score however and might best be used to start a clean inning.