Diamondbacks and Padres Game Preview, Roster Moves and Lineups

The Diamondbacks (57-59) will try once again to snap their losing streak, which is up to nine games. The Padres are just a game behind Arizona now at 56-60. The D-backs are 3.0 games back in the race for the final NL Wild Card Slot.

Roster Moves: Prior to today's game the D-backs announced following moves

Selected INF Buddy Kennedy (No. 16) from Triple-A Reno, Optioned INF Emmanuel Rivera to Reno following last night’s game, Designated OF Kristian Robinson for assignment.

Kennedy was up with the team last year but after homering on Fathers day June 19th, hit just .217 with the one homer in 94 plate appearances. He lost his 40-man roster spot, but has been reinstated after hitting .318/.447/.480 for Reno with 22 doubles, 8 triples, and 5 homers. Per Torey Lovullo, Kennedy will fill the right handed half of a platoon at third base, facing left handed pitching, with LHB Jace Peterson getting most of the playing time against right hand pitches. .

Rivera was called up in late April and got off to a hot start in his first 33 games through June 12th, hitting .361 with 17 RBI. Over his next 33 games since June 13th he slumped however, batting just .177 with 7 RBI in 133 PA.

Kristian Robinson was a former top ranked prospect who missed time due to personal issues and struggled this year with inconsistency and injuries. It is likely he will be picked up on waivers and be moved on to another organization.

Pitching Matchup for Today's game:

Zac Gallen, 11-5, 3.37 will take the mound for the D-backs. The ace and all star game starter will be trying to extend his run of solid pitching at Chase Field where he has 9-1 record and 1.96 ERA.

Rich Hill, 7-11, 5.09 is going for the Padres today. The 43 year old left-hander is no stranger to D-backs manager Torey Lovullo who's time with the veteran goes back to 2010 in Pawtucket when Hill was trying to make his way back on a major league roster with the Red Sox. Picked up at the trade deadline by the Padres he was hit hard in his first outing with San Diego giving up six runs in three innings against the Dodger. He faced the D-backs on July 7th while still with the Pirates and gave up five run in four innings.

With their ace on the mound and facing an aging left hander they handled well earlier in the year the stars may be aligned to finally break their losing streak.

Lineups:

Other than Kennedy replacing Rivera, today's D-backs lineup is exactly the same as last nights. Despite his many years in the league today's D-backs lineup does not have a lot players with a lot of experience against Hill. Ketel Marte is 4-for-12, all singles, with one RBI and one HBP.

Fernando Tatis has the best numbers against Gallen among the Padres hitters, going 4-for-12 .333 including two homers. Jake Cronenworth also has good number against Gallen going 6-for-20 .300 with two doubles, a homer and four walks, giving him a .967 OPS against the D-backs Cy Young contender.