Rubber match, and our ace on the mound
I guess at the highest level, the two games in the series so far have gone as expected. Arizona won the first, with Los Angeles struggling through an opener, but the Dodgers bounced back to take the second, behind their undeniable ace. Admittedly, the manner in which each game unfolded was… certainly worthy of comment, but the end result was a split, and tonight’s game will decide the series. You do have to think the D-backs have the edge, with Corbin Burnes having blanked the Dodgers over seven innings eleven days ago, and followed that up with (the admittedly lighter task) six more shutout innings against the Rockies last Friday.
Since Zac Gallen’s in April 2023, there has only been one other starter for Arizona to toss 6+ scoreless innings in consecutive outings. That was by Brandon Pfaadt around the All-Star break in July last year, when he beat the Braves 1-0, then took a no-decision in a 2-1 loss to the Cubs. For Burnes, he has now done it once in each of the past three seasons, as well as twice in 2021 – indeed, in April that year, he did it three starts in a row as a Brewer. Especially impressive there, was his K:BB ratio of 29:0. Only two other pitchers in recorded baseball history have put together three consecutive starts of six or more scoreless innings, 9+ strikeouts and no walks. [Clayton Kershaw in 2015 and Max Scherzer in 2021]
Over his last two starts, Burnes hasn’t been quite so dominant, but a K:BB of 15:5 across 13 innings is still pretty good. Could do with another seven shutout innings tonight, partly to save the bullpen. Outside of mysterious phantom man Christian Montes de Oca, whom I am beginning to suspect does not exist, our relievers have been taxed. Obviously, no Shelby Miller tonight. Juan Morillo and Kevin Ginkel are probably also redlined, But at least there is an off-day tomorrow, which will give everyone a chance to recharge their batteries, and odds are that Justin Martinez will rejoin the team after that. Hopefully Burnes can repeat his success and give the D-backs another series victory.