Mapping Out the Diamondbacks Rotation for the Rest of 2024

Pfaadt and Rodriguez pitched on August 19th and 20th respectively, thus each will be making their next starts with seven days rest on the 27th and 28th. The added rest due to going with the 6-man rotation these past two turns is probably a bigger benefit to Pfaadt. He has carried a heavy workload this season, leading the team with 150 innings already in just his second season.

One possible wrinkle to keep an eye on is the team could actually decide to flip-flop Pfaadt and Rodriguez. Doing so would mean Rodriguez pitches on six days rest and Pfaadt pitches on eight.

Due to the off day on August 26th, Gallen and Kelly will pitch on five days rest to kick off the Dodgers series.

We pick up the schedule after the off day on September 9th in the table below, starting with the two game series against the Rangers at Chase Field on September 10th.

If the D-backs need to reorder the rotation at all, their last chance to do so will be in the space just prior to or after the September 12th off day. Otherwise the rotation is lined out as if they will be able to stay in order through the end of the season.

Based on the above tables, Gallen, Kelly, and Pfaadt will each make seven more starts. Rodriguez and Nelson will make six.

Of course there is always the chance that the injury bug bites again, disrupting this rotation calendar. Or a pitcher may just be fatigued and need an extra day. If a starter is performing poorly he could even be removed from the rotation. It's not impossible that even Montgomery could return for a couple of starts at some point.

Nonetheless, the Arizona Diamondbacks are set up now for the stretch run more or less optimally. All that's left to do is play the games and hope everyone stays healthy and pitches well from here on out.