D-backs Vs. Reds: The Return of Zach Davies

The Diamondbacks (68-61) face the Reds (67-63) today for game three of a four game series having taken the first two games and leap frogging into the second wild card position. First pitch is 5:10 P.M.

Lineups

Zach Davies 1-5, 7.38 ERA is making his first start since a July 19th outing against the Braves in which he gave up nine runs in 3.2 innings of work. He subsequently went on the injured list with a lower back strain, taking five weeks to work his way back. He made three rehab starts in Reno, with decent if unspectacular results in the most recent one going six innings and giving up three runs in the hitter friendly PCL.

Bringing back Davies for another year has turned out very poorly for Mike Hazen and the Diamondbacks. It was hoped he would provide innings and stability at the back end of the rotation as the team worked to bring along some of their rookie starters. Instead he's been oft injured, with two separate IL stints, and limited to just 12 starts. He's gone more than five innings just five times and been non competitive in five more.

Davies indicated in a clubhouse interview with Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports earlier this week that the back soreness is something that has bothered him on and off since 2018 and had been lingering for some time before the start in Atlanta. That was keeping him from doing some of things he wanted and making it difficult to throw certain pitches. We asked pitching coach Brent Strom what he was hoping to see today.

"I hope he pitches like he did his last outing. He pitched very well. He did some of the things I asked. He didn't do the things I asked in the first [rehab] outing. I wanted him to elevate more, throw cutters in to lefties, not just go fastball away, changeup away, which is his M.O. The last game he pitched six innings, three runs, which I defy anybody in the MLB to go six innings three runs in Reno. It's hell to pitch there sometimes. He did a nice job and I expect him to be good, I really do."

With an expected full house today in anticipation of Corbin Carroll bobblehead day, Davies will be under a lot of pressure to perform in the middle of a playoff chase.

Carroll's bat has come back to life just in time the last couple of weeks. Although he went 0-2 last night, he drew three walks, stole a base and scored a run. Over his last nine games he's gone 11 for 29, .379 with a double, a homer, four walks, and seven runs scored. He's also struck out just three times in his last 35 plate appearances. Carroll spoke last night about having felt out of whack during his previous slump. Asked to clarify this morning what he meant, he said "more something mechanical I'd say, that's been my focus right now, just a couple simple thoughts there"

For a time it appeared that pitchers were trying to exploit a hole down and in against Carroll and he was having difficulty laying off. But as his bat has recovered lately he's clearly been more selective. "I definitely think I've done a better job of keeping them in the strike zone and just working off my strengths"

As for his bobblehead night he was excited for it. "It's going to be ton of fun, I'm looking forward to it." The Diamondbacks posted a video of his parents opening it and seeing it for the first time and his smile was a mile wide recalling that.

"So proud of our baby." 🥹

Mr. and Mrs. Carroll got their first look at Corbin's bobblehead ahead of tomorrow's giveaway. pic.twitter.com/sAwHP06Ats
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 25, 2023