The Dbacks had a rough weekend getting swept by the Reds; they look to right the ship at home in a 3 game series against the Mariners
Recaps and Previews
Zac Gallen Stumbles Late, D-backs Swept by Reds
Despite nearly tossing his second quality start in a row, Gallen fell apart late in the game after being solid for the majority of the game. Gallen tossed 6 ⅔ innings, allowing six hits, three walks and four earned runs while striking out five. Unfortunately, three of the six hits were home runs — two solo, and one two-run shot.
After sweep of Atlanta, D-backs swept in Cincy to end tough trip
One of the key takeaways: The Diamondbacks scored just six runs in hitter-friendly GABP over three games, with Brady Singer, Scott Barlow, Taylor Rogers (2-2) and Tony Santillan holding the D-backs in check Sunday. The Dbacks will have to find a way to get their bats going against the Mariners potent pitching.
Three Takeaways from D-backs’ Ugly Series Against Reds
Friend of the ‘Pit Michael McDermott breaks down the ugly series loss the Diamondbacks had against the Reds. TLDR: Poor offense, inconsistent starting pitching, and bad weather all played a part.
Mariners-Diamondbacks series is a confrontation with 2 of Jerry Dipoto’s worst trades
The Mariners offensive struggles are really magnified considering how much of a key offensive component Ketel Marte and Eugenio Suarez have been a with the Dbacks. Although Dipoto did get a solid in return in Mitch Haniger and Jean Segura, Hazen still easily won that trade with the Dbacks getting 11.5 WAR more than the Mariners received. The Eugenio Suarez trade is the real embarrassment for Dipoto though; Catcher Seby Zavalla isn’t even in the Mariners organization anymore, and is currently buried in the Red Sox depth chart. Carlos Vargas has been a useful set-up arm, but that’s not exactly much of a selling point of that trade.
Diamondbacks Need Successful Home Series vs Mariners
The Diamondbacks record fell to 31-34 after being swept by the Reds, meanwhile, the Mariners are 33-31. The Dbacks basically need a series win to stay in the Wild Card race.
Can Merrill Kelly End the Diamondbacks’ Skid?
Merrill Kelly has been the team’s Ace in terms of results this season. Kelly is 6-2 with a 3.43 ERA. His 1.4 fWAR leads the team’s pitchers, and more than double of the second best pitcher, Corbin Burnes, who has .6 fWAR, and almost three times as valuable as third best, Eduardo Rodriguez’s .5 fWAR.
Other Team News
Top Diamondbacks Prospect Earns Promotion to High-A Hillsboro
Slade Caldwell, who was hitting hitting .294/.460/.454 for the Low A Visalia Rawhide, has been promoted to the A+ level Hillsboro Hops. Caldwell’s 161 wRC+, which is roughly 60% better than the league average, is very clear sign that the not quite 19 year old (his birthday is June 18th) was ready for a more challenging hitting environment.
Around the League
I’m just going to quote straight from the article:
Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.
The Giants sent outfielder and first baseman Lamonte Wade Jr to the Angels in exchange for a Player To Be Named Later. The Angels designated right-hander Michael Darrell-Hicks for assignment to make room for Wade on the 40-man roster. Wade was designated for assignment by San Francisco last week.
Brendon Little’s Big Problem (for Hitters)
The Blue Jays Reliever has an absolutely filthy knuckles curve. I had no idea how filthy until I read this article on Fangraphs.
Podcasts, Videos, Bonus Links
Weekend Nightmare: D-backs SWEPT By Reds, Corbin Burnes To Have Tommy John Surgery
Jack Sommers and Jesse Friedman break down the series loss against the Cincinnati Reds, Corbin Burnes needing Tommy John surgery and him potentially opting out at the end of next season, along with some other topics
Fenway upgrade creates UNIQUE problem for Red Sox fans
The Red Sox are beginning redevelopment on Fenway, and that redevelopment could block the historic CITGO sign that’s been there in its current form since the mid 1960s.
FDA Announces Recall on More Than 19,000 Cases of Dr Pepper for Mislabeling
If you’re wondering why that can of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar you had recently in North Carolina/Florida/Georgia had tasted so good, its because it actually was just regular, full-sugar Dr Pepper in the wrong can.