Zac Gallen ready for a potential bullpen role in Game 162

With everything on the line in Game 162, Diamondbacks’ manager Torey Lovullo has left the door open for ace Zac Gallen to make an unexpected appearance out of the bullpen against the Padres on Sunday. He last pitched on September 25th, throwing 97 pitches.

Gallen, who has never pitched in relief, is now faced with the possibility of entering as a reliever during the highest stake regular season game of his career.

Lovullo noted earlier this week, “I know Zac, and if he could help his team win on Sunday and if it’s an-all in day, he’s going to come to me and say, ‘I want to pitch in this game.’ And I probably will not get in his way.”

After dropping the first two games of the series to San Diego, the Diamondbacks‘ postseason chances have taken a hit. However, they remain alive thanks to some help from the Mets, who lost to the Brewers on Saturday.

The Diamondbacks can clinch a postseason spot today if they win and both the Mets and Braves lose. On the flip side, a Diamondbacks loss combined with victories by the Mets and Braves would result in Arizona’s elimination from playoff contention.

If none of those scenarios play out, it will all come down to the Mets-Braves doubleheader on Monday.

Brandon Pfaadt will take the mound for Arizona, but he has struggled recently, with his ERA climbing from 3.74 to 4.80 over the last two months. In his previous outing, Pfaadt was roughed up by the Giants, surrendering five earned runs in just 2.2 innings in an 11-0 Diamondbacks loss. He’s faced the Padres three times this season, with the Diamondbacks going 1-2 in those games, as he allowed nine earned runs across 15.2 innings.

All games are scheduled to start shortly after noon, and the Diamondbacks, Braves, and Mets will undoubtedly be scoreboard watching throughout the day.