D-backs Strive for a Series Win Sunday
After an excruciating extra-innings loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, the Arizona Diamondbacks look to regroup ahead of a big Sunday matinee game. The team's six-game winning streak ended, but they maintained a grip on the third Wild Card spot by 0.5 games above the Reds. However, if the team loses on Sunday, they would fall out of the Wild Card picture to fourth place and the Reds would move ahead. Also, the Reds clinched the season series last night which means that the D-backs need to have a better record than them come season's end. That makes today's game even more crucial to win as it would enable them to pick up another win over the Reds' tally. The Diamondbacks (68-62) will take on the Reds (68-63) at 1:10 P.M. and will determine who enters next week in a playoff position.
The D-backs designated Nabil Crismatt for assignment and have selected the contract of Ryan Thompson and added him to the active roster. He was pitching in Triple-A with the Reno Aces after recently being signed to a minor league deal with an opt-out tomorrow. Over 2.2 innings with the Aces, Thompson didn't allow a hit and struck out four batters. If you want a more in-depth profile on the latest Diamondbacks pitcher, read the article I wrote here.
Starting Pitchers
Slade Cecconi starts today as he looks to get his first MLB career win in his fifth appearance and third start. Cecconi has a 2.93 ERA over 15.1 innings with four walks, nine strikeouts, and 12 hits. He's been a tad lucky to this point with a 4.96 FIP. Despite that, he was extremely effective against the Ranges earlier this week in a bullpen game.
Cecconi went five innings as a bulk pitcher against the tough offense and gave up just three hits and a single run off a solo home run. He walked none and struck out two. There is pause for concern as he has given up 51.1% hard contact, but if he can keep the Reds' hitters off-kilter today, he has a chance. He throws a 4-seam fastball 58.3%, slider 28.9%, curveball 7%, and changeup 5.7% of the time.
Graham Ashcraft is 7-8 with a 4.84 ERA, 134 innings, 100 strikeouts, a league-leading 10 hit-by-pitches, 50 walks, and a 5.16 FIP. Ashcraft has had a strong August so far over four starts and 29 innings with a 3.10 ERA and 24 strikeouts to just seven walks. His FIP during this time is 5.23 indicating a lot of luck. His opponents also have hit an unsustainable .189 batting average on balls in play. His savant page shows a lot of blue and he's a three-pitch pitcher. He throws a cutter 53%, a slider 36.8%, and a sinker 10.2% of the time.
Ashcraft has been much better on the road with a 3.79 ERA over 10 games and 57 innings with 22 walks and 48 strikeouts. He has reverse splits was he's done far better against left-handed hitters than right-handed batters. Left-handed hitters have hit .240 against him versus a .286 average by right-handed batters. Lefties have struck out 53 times versus just 20 walks while right-handers have 30 walks to 47 strikeouts.
Lineups
No one on the Reds has faced Cecconi in the majors to this point. Ketel Marte is two-for-five while Christian Walker is hitless in two at-bats. Evan Longoria is three-for-five with a home run. Tommy Pham's 15-game hit streak ended last night. Corbin Carroll looks to continue to build ground over Reds' rookie Matt McLain for Rookie of the Year honors.
Bullpens
Both the Reds' and Diamondbacks' bullpens are gassed. The Reds held a bullpen game yesterday and then the game went to extras. Though their best relievers, closer Alexis Diaz and Ian Gibaut should be available as should Alex Young and Lucas Sims.
Meanwhile, for the D-backs, their bullpen is extremely tired. Paul Sewald is likely down. Miguel Castro has pitched in four of the last six games. Kevin Ginkel has pitched in each of the last two days. Just yesterday, the team used seven relievers to try to win. It's more of a question as to who is available and the team badly needs Slade Cecconi to give them more than five-plus innings. They do have new Diamondback Ryan Thompson who will be available today.
