Series Preview No. 28: Diamondbacks @ Dodgers

Well, despite the rocky start, the Diamondbacks managed to win their series against the A’s, as they had to. However, it was another series that highlighted their current lack of starting pitchers, who are more than decimated due to injuries. The return of Zac Gallen was a welcome relief. The question is, will it be enough while we wait for more reinforcements? The 5-5 record they have achieved in the last ten games is simply not enough.

The Dodgers are currently dealing with a lot of injuries themselves and have seen their lead shrink a little for what appears to be the first time all season. They currently lead the Padres by just 7.5 games, but have won their last ten games 6-4. They have a lot of depth, so putting players on the field won’t be a problem at all for them. However, they won’t be able to replace the performance of Yamamoto or Betts. There is no good time to face the Dodgers, but it probably won’t get any better than this.

Game 1 – 7:10 p.m., July 2: Ryne Nelson (5-6, 5.69 ERA/71 ERA+, 1.57 WHIP) against Bobby Miller (1-1, 6.75 ERA/59 ERA+, 1.65 WHIP)

In Game 1, we’re faced with a battle of disappointing pitchers. We know Nelson’s struggles well. He’s had two games with six ER in the last month. The other three, however, were solid, with two ER or less. This lack of consistency is killer.

Bobby Miller has struggled just as much as Nelson, but that appears to have been due to at least a shoulder injury. He’s back on the IL for the first time, replacing Walker Buehler in the rotation. Before going on the IL, he took eight ER in 8.1 IP against the Rockies and White Sox, so the Dodgers are hoping his time off has solved the issues that caused that.

Game 2 – 7:10 p.m., July 3: Jordan Montgomery (6-5, 6.44 ERA/63 ERA+, 1.67 WHIP) vs. Gavin Stone (9-2, 2.73 ERA/144 WHIP, 1.12 WHIP)

In his last five games, Montgomery has had three decent starts, as we’ve come to expect from him, bookended by two absolutely terrible starts. Those two starts were fatal for a number of reasons, primarily the added burden on the bullpen. With a team IP/start that’s among the lowest in the league, outings like that don’t help matters.

Gavin Stone has been a monster in the Dodgers’ rotation this season. Los Angeles has won six straight games with Stone on the mound and has lost just three of them all season. He has only allowed more than three runs twice this season. He was brought in because of the injuries the Dodgers have been dealing with and has risen to the challenge. He will be a very tough opponent for the Diamondbacks.

Game 3 – 6:10 p.m., July 4: Zac Gallen (6-4, 2.83 ERA/143 ERA+, 1.06 WHIP) vs. Landon Knack (1-1, 2.08 ERA/190 ERA+, 0.95 WHIP)

It was really nice to have Gallen back in the last series. He crushed the A’s, but more importantly, several people, including Michael McDermott, reported that his stuff looked just as fantastic, a much more important indicator than results against a soulless minor league team. They’re going to need the best Gallen has to offer, both in this series and in every game after that, if they want to have even the slightest chance of getting back into the playoffs.

Knack has been moved in and out of the rotation as needed this season, but has done very well for the Dodgers when he was on the big league roster. He hasn’t had a bad outing anywhere near that. He allowed three runs in six innings against the Nationals in April, but otherwise he’s been absolutely outstanding. His only blemish against him is that he only pitched into the sixth inning once.

Diploma

It’s always a tough series when you face the Dodgers. There’s no getting around it. I’m confident about Game 3 against Gallen, but there are no question marks at this point about Games 1 and 2. With a little luck, a good version of Montgomery or Nelson might show up, but that’s the bare minimum the Dbacks need to win the series. I can’t say I’m betting on it.