Torey Lovullo Embracing Opener Concept

Reluctant to use an opener in the past, the D-backs have seen the need to utilize the concept due to circumstance and roster construction.

The Texas Rangers (72-52) visit Chase Field to play the  Arizona Diamondbacks (64-61) at 6:40 P.M. tonight.  

Lineups:

Michael McDermott

Joe Mantiply will once again be on the mound to start the game in the first inning. This will be the second time in less than a week Mantiply has been called upon to fill the opener role, having done so successfully August 15th in Colorado. Lovullo had to go with a bullpen game in the second game of Saturday's double header, starting Scott McGough. McGough went 2.1 innings before handing it off to the rest of the bullpen. Lovullo also  had to utilize bullpen games on July 8th and July 23rd as well,  going with Kyle Nelson, and  Jose Ruiz to start. 

There is a difference between a bullpen game and using an opener to get three or four outs and then turning the game over to a starting pitcher or "bulk pitcher". Slade Cecconi  is a starter and was originally slated to start this game, but the team announced the switch mid morning, deciding to have Mantiply face the top of the Rangers order. Expect Cecconi to follow Mantiply unless the reliever isn't able to complete the first inning, in which case Lovullo may be forced to go to one more reliever before giving the ball to Cecconi.

Lovullo was asked about a rather humorous tweet before the game discussing his recent embrace of the opener concept

Torey has gone from never using an opener to being addicted 😂 https://t.co/OV3jzJgJMO

— Goldschmidt Happened (@GoldyHappens) August 21, 2023

The manager got quite a good laugh from this. "First of all, I love that by the way. The people around town they were so mad at me for being so boring. Now that I'm trying to spice it up they're like, this guy has lost his mind...that kinda makes me laugh."

Lovullo went on to emphasize he is trying to make whatever adjustments he needs to make to win baseball games.  He expressed confidence in the early matchups against the lefties at the top of the order. 

"We targeted it for a reason. It wasn't just done on the flip of a coin. Everything I do has a strategy. A lot of times people don't know the information I know, the fatigue factor. The information is the dugout is totally different than what's going on. But this one is pretty obvious, what you see is what you getting......we're challenged in a lot of ways."

It was also pointed out that in years past when they had a more seasoned starting pitching staff that carried the team they didn't need to consider. But with so many young starters these types of decisions make more sense. 

Lineup and injury notes

Left hander Jordan Montgomery gets the ball for the  Rangers. Corbin Carroll is getting a routine day off, and Alek Thomas will start in center for a rare start against a lefty. 

Evan Longoria was activated and back in the lineup for this game. It took 24 days to work his way back from the injured list with a lower back strain. Longoria was batting .238/.303/.500, 116 OPS+ in 178 PA, with 11 homers and 24 RBI when he went to the IL on July 29th. 

Kyle Lewis was optioned back to Triple-A Reno. It's been a tough season for Lewis. Battling injury and illness his year has been disrupted. He got untracked for Reno in the last couple of months however, putting up terrific numbers. Unfortunately  it's just not translated at the major league level this year. Lewis is batting .157 with one homer in 54 plate appearances. 

Tommy Henry was still not feeling 100% and is not yet cleared to begin a throwing program, hence the move to the 60 day IL last week.  Once Henry is cleared to throw they will likely forgo trying to get him stretched back out as a starter. If he makes it back at all it will be to help out the bullpen over the very last few days of the season and hopefully the post season if necessary.