In this series, the Diamondbacks will face a challenge. One challenge is that in this series the Diamondbacks’ top rotation starters (Gallen, Kelly, and Rodriguez) will not be pitching. Another challenge is that position players Geraldo Perdomo and Alek Thomas have not yet returned from the IL. Yet another challenge is that this season’s Dodgers are greatly talented.
Each Diamondbacks’ win will be cause for celebration, knowing that as a team that is not yet back to full strength, they demonstrated team concepts to beat a greatly talented team.
“Team concepts show up on days that are positive.” — Torey Lovullo, postgame on 19 May
This season’s Dodgers are a different team.
It’s different NOT merely because the billion-plus dollars committed during the off season.
Let’s look at what Dave Roberts, their manager, said:
- He cannot remember a season with less carryover from the previous season. Details in this article.
- The team is consistently playing complete baseball. All facets are as good as he has ever seen. Details in this article and this article.
The Dodgers recently had a 7 game winning streak. Then they crashed, losing a series against the Padres. Last week they lost a game against the Giants, then against the Reds. Their winning streak is over.
The Pitching Matchups.
Monday 7;10 PM Arizona time, Joe Mantiply (Likely Opener) & Slade Cecconi (78 ERA+) vs Yoshinobu Yamamoto (128 ERA+).
Joe Mantiply will likely get a chance to show that his last appearance (3 batters faced with zero outs against the Tigers) was an unfortunate anomaly.
Slade Cecconi has been inconsistent. In his best three starts, his ERA was 2.08. In his worst two starts, his ERA was 10.8. The Diamondbacks need his best to have winning chances.
The Dodgers signed Yamamoto (a pitcher from the Japan Western League) in the offseason. In his last start, Yamamoto allowed 4 earned runs in 5.2 innings against the Giants.
This matchup is advantage Dodgers.
Tuesday 7;10 PM Arizona time, Brandon Pfaadt (98 ERA+) vs Gavin Stone (125 ERA+)
In his last start, Brandon Pfaadt pitched a gem. In 7 innings, he allowed only 2 hits and 1 run. Also, he struck out 9 of 25 batters. That doesn’t happen every day!
Gavin Stone is on a hot streak. In his last four starts he allowed exactly one earned run per start (6 or more innings each start).
This matchup is a slight advantage Dodgers. Nevertheless, the Diamondbacks will likely have winning chances.
Wednesday 7;10 PM Arizona time, Ryne Nelson (58 ERA+) vs Tyler Glasnow (141 ERA+).
In his last start, Ryne Nelson allowed 8 earned runs in 4 innings. Prior to this game, the most earned runs he allowed in a game was 7 (both Majors and minors). Nevertheless, Torey Lovullo showed his confidence in Ryne Nelson’s pitching by saying he will make this start.
Tyler Glasnow stumbled in his last start, allowing 4 earned runs in 5 innings against the Reds.
This matchup is a slight advantage Dodgers. The Diamondbacks need to win this game!