The Diamondbacks head into the nightcap with at least a split already secured, and they may be able to get out of San Francisco with more than that if Mitch Bratt can settle in and give them length.
Arizona’s bullpen got a break in the opener, which is exactly what the club wanted after Merrill Kelly turned in his best outing since that complete game in Coors Field. Kelly went seven innings for the first time in the second half, and that allowed the Diamondbacks to stay away from most of their relievers.
Taylor Clarke and Brandyn Garcia were the only arms used from the pen, and Jonathan Loaisiga is likely the only other reliever unavailable for the second game. If Arizona can avoid the rest of that group, Kevin Ginkel, Justin Martinez and new addition Derek Law would be the preferred options over Juan Morillo and Gerardo Carrillo.
Even with the second game still to play, Arizona’s situation in the wild-card race has already improved. The Diamondbacks will finish the day no worse than tied for the third NL wild-card spot, even if they lose tonight.
That’s because the Padres coughed up a 6-3 lead in Tampa and have now dropped four of five, with series losses to both the Pirates and Rays. Arizona now gets to keep an eye on what Tampa does next, while preparing to head home for a series against Philadelphia.
For this one, though, the focus is on Bratt. His last two starts have been rough, with each lasting only three innings and ending with three runs allowed.
The bigger issue has been the walks, which have put extra traffic on the bases and pushed his pitch counts up fast. In those outings, he averaged 23 pitches per inning in one start and just one fewer in the other, which is no way to work deep into a game.
Still, there’s reason for Arizona to like the setting. A night game in San Francisco should be more forgiving for a pitcher, and the Diamondbacks will be hoping that helps Bratt deliver a better outing and send them home with a series win.
In Other News...
Diamondbacks Suddenly Have A Second Base Issue They Cant Ignore
The rainout makeup created a long day at Oracle Park, but it also put the Diamondbacks in the middle of a San Francisco celebration for Jeff Kent. The Giants will retire Kents No. 21 during the night game of the doubleheader, and Arizonas focus has to stay on the field after a stretch that has already forced the club to navigate a change at second base with Ketel Marte sidelined and Ildemaro Vargas filling in.
Arizonas own infield issue has become impossible to separate from the matchup itself, because the Giants are piecing together their second-base picture too after moving Luis Arraez. So while the day carries the pageantry of a Hall of Fame honor, the doubleheader also puts a spotlight on a spot the Diamondbacks cant just cover up for long, especially with two games and the usual pitching plans adding even more pressure to a position group already under strain. [Read more 🡒]
Diamondbacks Make Another Bullpen Move With Wild Card Pressure Rising
With the Wild Card pressure rising, the Diamondbacks turned again to their bullpen depth and added another familiar arm. Arizona selected Derek Laws contract from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, bringing in a veteran reliever who has pitched for six MLB teams over eight seasons and is trying to work back into a major league groove after missing the previous season because of arm surgery.
Law had recently returned to game action in Reno and now gets a chance to help stabilize a relief group that has been under constant churn. The club also called up left-hander Mitch Bratt as the 27th man for a doubleheader, while Kohl Drake was optioned back to Reno in the corresponding move, another reminder that Arizona is managing every inning carefully as the standings tighten. [Read more 🡒]
Diamondbacks Keep Searching For Answers As Marte Absence Drags On
The Diamondbacks continue to juggle their roster as they wait for Ketel Marte to return, and the latest lineup against the Giants came with another set of moves designed to keep the rotation and bullpen moving. Sending reliever Burgos down to Reno opened a spot for another starter, a reminder that Arizona is still trying to piece together the daily puzzle while one of its most important bats stays on the shelf.
Marte has now missed ten games, and the offense has not looked the same without him. Ildemaro Vargas has filled in at second base, but his struggles at the plate have only added to the pressure on a lineup that has seen its production dip during the absence. Until Marte is back, the Diamondbacks are left searching for a short-term spark and a way to stop the skid in their run scoring. [Read more 🡒]