Diamondbacks face Marlins on Jackie Robinson Day

Ryne Nelson gets a start against a team not named the Dodgers or Padres for first time in his MLB career

Today teams throughout major league baseball will celebrate Jackie Robinson Day. On April 15, 1947, Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, serving as a powerful catalyst for necessary changes in our sport and our nation. 

As part of the tribute, players will all wear Robinson's number 42, which has been retired throughout the league. 

GAME PREVIEW

The Diamondbacks (8-6)  face the  Marlins (7-7 in game two of a three game set in loanDepot Park, Miami, FL. Last night the Marlins took the opener 5-1, defeating Madison Bumgarner.  The D-backs hold a one game lead  in the NL West over the Dodgers who are 7-7.

Game Time: 1:10 P.M. MST,  4:10 P.M. EST

Television:

D-backs - Bally Sports Arizona (Steve Berthiaume & Luis Gonzalez)

Marlins - Bally Sports Florida

Radio:

D-backs - 98.7 FM Arizona's Sports Station, KHOV Univision 105.1

Marlins - FOX Sports 940AM (WINZ), WAQI 710

PITCHING MATCHUP

Ryne Nelson RHP, 1-0, 4.91 ERA, 11 IP

Nelson is coming off a quality start last time out against the Dodgers. He picked up the win by going six innings and allowing three runs in an 11-6 Diamondbacks victory. 

While Nelson has not been as dominant as he was last year when he threw 13 scoreless innings allowing just six hits to begin his major league career, he's been solid enough. It's notable that today is the first time he will face any team other than the Dodgers or Padres in five career starts. 

So far Nelson's fastball has not been as effective as it was last year. Down about one MPH from 95 to 94, he's been forced into the zone with inconsistent command of his secondary pitches and been getting hit harder on the four seamer than he's accustomed to. But when he's landing his slider, cutter, and curveball he can plow through any team's lineup. 

Braxton Garrett LHP, 0-0, 4.70 ERA, 7.2 IP

Garrrett, was a first round draft pick by the Marlins in 2016. Now in his fourth MLB season, Garrett started to fulfill his promise last year making 17 starts with a 3.58 ERA backed by a 3.56 FIP.  His first start of 2023 came April 9th against the Mets. He lasted 4.2 innings, giving up just two runs despite allowing nine hits and a walk. 

Garrett's main arsenal consists of a sinker, slider, and curveball. According to Statcast he's transitioned from a four seam to the sinker over the last couple of years.  Not a hard thrower by any means, the sinker averages just 90 MPH. His best pitch by far is the slider. When he's going right he will keep the ball on the ground and induce a fair amount of double plays.  

He has a big split however, as for his career right hand batters have an .843 OPS against him, compared  .654 vs left hand batters.  

Despite being left-handed, Garrett can be run on, last year allowing 10 stolen bases with three caught. So far this year he's allowed one stolen base. His catcher today, Nick Fortes has caught two of eight would be base stealers in 2023. Last year he caught 10 of 35 runners, (29%) 

LINEUPS

Garrett is the 7th left handed starter the D-backs will face in their first 15 games.  Typically left hand starters make up between 27-30% of games started, but the early season schedule has skewed heavily to the left for Arizona.  Despite going to great lengths this past off season to shore up and balance their lineup, the D-backs have a poor split vs. left-handed starters so far in 2023. 

Vs. LHSP .219/.253/.359, .612 OPS

Vs. RHSP .287/.339/.444, .783 OPS

Jake McCarthy is back in the lineup and Alek Thomas gets a day off as Corbin Carroll slides over to centerfield. McCarthy has slumped to a .195 batting average, going 8-41 with a double and a triple.  Last year McCarthy was aggressive in counts, averaging just 3.55 Pitches per plate appearance. The league average is 3.90.  But it worked for him as he hit .349 on balls in play (BABIP).  This year he is averaging a team low 3.02 Pit/PA and has just a .235 BABIP.  While some of his hit luck is likely to improve, being more patient at the plate and getting his pitch is going to be key if he is to regain his 2022 form. 

Former Diamondback prospect Jazz Chisholm Jr. is back in the lineup for the Marlins and leading off.  MLB batting leader Luis Arraez (.500 on 23-46 hitting) is still out with an injury to his index finger however.  The Marlins have just two left-handed batters going against Nelson, Chisholm and Jesús Sánchez