Game Preview #51: Pfaadt Pitching For Rotation Spot

Brandon Pfaadt's rotation spot may be on the line as Arizona starts a 10-game homestand against the Red Sox.

The Diamondbacks return for a 10-game homestand after a 6-3 road trip with series wins against the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Philadelphia Phillies. They enter play today with a 29-21 record and sitting in the top National League Wild Card spot by 3.5 games. They open up the homestand against the 26-24 Boston Red Sox, who are 2.5 games back of the final American League Wild Card spot. This won't be an easy series, as they'll face the best the Red Sox have to offer from their rotation with Chris Sale and Tanner Houck scheduled to pitch.

Pitching Matchup

Jack Sommers

Rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt gets the ball for Arizona. After getting blown up in his first two starts, Pfaadt has given the team two competitive starts facing Logan Webb and Mitch Keller. He'll be up against another ace, facing Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale. Earlier today on the Burns and Gambo Show, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo stated that Zach Davies will be activated off the 15-day injured list to start tomorrow's game. Lovullo also stated the team hasn't made a decision on the corresponding roster move yet. That decision could come down to how well Pfaadt performs tonight. 

The D-backs No.3 prospect throws a fastball that averages 93 MPH, a sweeper that's his primary swing-and-miss pitch, a curveball, and a changeup. Command of the fastball, sweeper, and changeup will be key for Pfaadt to navigate through Boston's lineup, which ranks 7th in Major League Baseball in OPS (.765). 

Chris Sale was once one of the top pitchers in baseball, with a Cy Young award in 2018, but his career had been put on hold due to various injuries. He's finally healthy again, with his fastball averaging 95 MPH in each of his last three starts. He also utilizes a changeup, exclusively to right-handed hitters. In his last four outings he;'s 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA, with 32 strikeouts against just three walks in 27 innings. 

Lineups

MLB.com

D-backs Notes and Injury Updates

Lourdes Gurriel enters play today with a 16-game hitting streak, in which he is batting .400 with seven doubles, seven home runs, and a 1.304 OPS.  Gurriel lead the NL in batting average and OPS for the month of may, .382 and 1.256 and is a contender for May player of the month. 

Gabriel Moreno is out of the lineup due to getting a root canal this morning, but is available off the bench.

Carson Kelly is playing DH today in extended spring training. Torey Lovullo said he was in a similar stage as a hitter would be in early March in Spring training, which may mean his return is still at least a couple of weeks off. 

Joe Mantiply threw a 22 pitch bullpen and is nearing return from a hamstring injury.

Kyle Lewis has been playing in Reno, alternating between DH and the outfield.