Offense and momentum are advantage Diamondbacks.
Who will win the series?
Offense and momentum are advantage Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks are riding a 3 game winning streak, largely due to their excellent offense (with honorable mention that Merrill Kelly pitched a gem). That contrasts with the Padres. In the last month their offense was anemic, and in their 3 latest games they lost a series against the Dodgers.
Pitching is a tossup. Both teams’ rotations are less than full strength. The Padres will be without Michael King and Yu Darvish. The Diamondbacks will be without Corbin Burnes and Jordan Montgomery. The series winner will likely have starters who pitch deep and bullpens that avoid meltdowns.
“Typically, pitching is a major need for all contending teams each summer.” — Thomas Conroy, SB Nation writer.
Power Rankings are advantage Padres.
- Padres are 7th and Diamondbacks are 19th per MLB.com.
- Padres are 8th and Diamondbacks are 19th per The Athletic.
- Padres are 6th and Diamondbacks are 21st per CBS Sports.
When setbacks happen, winners find ways to challenge themselves. If the Padres can do it, so can the Diamondbacks.
[On 8 June,] “After a narrow win against the Brewers, a flat tire on the team [Padres] charter delayed takeoff by more than five hours. Some players passed the time by playing hacky sack on the tarmac. The diversion turned into a makeshift baseball game, with a water bottle serving as a bat.” — Dennis Lin, The Athletic
Padres to Watch.
Recently, Manny Machado is batting well. In the first 11 games in June, he had 4 homers, 14 RBIs, and 17 hits. His total WPA was 1.625
Closer Robert Suarez. In his last 11 appearances (12.1 innings), he allowed zero earned runs, and none of his 3 inherited runners scored.
What to look for each day.
Friday, 6:40 PM MST.
In May, Ryne Nelson had an outstanding 1.80 ERA. In his only appearance in June, his 7 earned runs allowed in 3 innings was a setback. My view is he will bounce back.
In May, Stephen Kolek had a 4.11 ERA. In his two appearances in June, he allowed zero earned runs in 11.1 innings. My view is that against the Diamondbacks’ excellent offense, he will allow some earned runs.
This matchup of starting pitchers is a tossup.
Saturday, 4:15 PM MST.
In May, Zac Gallen had a 5.50 ERA. He pitched better in June (5 ERs in 13.2 innings). My view is he turned the corner and will keep improving.
In the minors, Ryan Bergert was a starting pitcher. After 4 relief appearances, he was bumped into the rotation. In June, he allowed 2 earned runs in 10.1 innings. My view is that it is only a matter of time until batters figure him out.
This matchup of starting pitchers is advantage Padres.
Sunday, 1:10 PM MST.
In May, Merrill Kelly had a 3.22 ERA. In June, his two starts were gems (zero earned runs in a total of 13 innings).
In May Nick Pivetta had a 4.00 ERA. In June, he allowed 9 earned runs in 10 innings pitched.
This matchup of starting pitchers is advantage Diamondbacks.