Diamondbacks at Dodgers NLDS Game 2 Preview

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers square off for game 2 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium tonight, first pitch is 6:07. The game is being broadcast on TBS with Bob Costas and Ron Darling on the call.

While this is not a series-clinching scenario, the D-backs have put the Dodgers backs up against the wall by taking game one by a score of 11-2. Should they take game two they would be in an extremely commanding position heading back to Arizona. Teams up 2-0 in a best-of-five series that won the first two games on the road are 29-3 in those series. The only three teams to come back from 0-2 after losing the first two at home are the 2001 Yankees (vs. A’s), 2012 Giants (vs. Reds), and the 2015 Blue Jays (vs. Texas).

Lineups

Torey Lovullo is running out the same nine position players for the fourth game in a row. The only changes have been flipping Carroll and Marte in the order against left-hander Clayton Kershaw in game one.

Evan Longoria started just 11 games in September and only four over the final two weeks of the year, but including tonight will have started all four postseason games at third base so far. Lovullo has made clear that postseason experience is a large factor in this decision. "When I looked out in Milwaukee and saw Evan Longoria standing at third base, I took a deep sigh and thought, that looks comfortable; I like having him out there."

The veteran third baseman had just one hit in the two games in Milwaukee, but he came up huge on defense in game one. Against Kershaw on Saturday he had an RBI double in the first to chase the Dodger's starter from the game and later had an RBI sac fly. Due to the extra off days in the schedule playing Longoria every day is a luxury afforded to the manager that he believes will pay dividends. "Longoria, when rested, is still very, very effective.", Lovullo said. "He's barrelling up the baseball. Swing feels good. He's going to impact this game for us."

For his part, Longoria almost wished there were no off days in between games one and two. "I think after the first game, there were quite a few of the guys in there that were just champing to get back on the field, especially when you can put some tax on their bullpen. Those things matter in a long series. The off days are nice. As far as the body goes I definitely enjoy it. But at the same time would have liked to kind of ride that momentum into Game Two."

The 38-year-old veteran is enjoying this experience as much as any he's had, just in different ways.

"I'm as excited as I've been for a game -- the playoffs are always fun. Just the opportunity and the things that we've overcome as a group this year, it makes it really, really fun...........I get this different kind of joy from being around some guys who haven't been there before, or just playing this different role that I had 10 years ago on the team and kind of just drawing a lot of satisfaction from that experience as well. It's a different but same energy, same excitement, same butterflies going into the game that I had a long time ago.

Pitching Matchup

Earlier this week Jake Oliver provided a comprehensive review of the series starting pitching matchups. This morning we also took a closer look at Gallen's history against the Dodgers. Those two links are worthwhile reading for anyone wanting a deeper dive.

Bobby Miller is a rookie right-hander making his first big-league start. Miller started off on fire, then hit a rough patch in his season, before finishing the season strong. He pitched against the D-backs twice this year, the first time dominating them, and the second time getting knocked around.

Bullpens:

Neither team has had to use their high-leverage relievers or closers yet in this series. Torey Lovullo can turn to any of his top three setup relievers (Ryan Thompson, Andrew Saalfrank, & Kevin Ginkel) in any order to bridge the gap to closer Paul Sewald in an attempt to secure a game two victory.

Dave Roberts had to get 26 outs from his bullpen on Saturday but didn't need to use his best two high-leverage relievers in Evan Phillips or Brusdar Graterol. With his team having been off for five days prior to the series and the off day yesterday and tomorrow, there are virtually no restrictions for Roberts other than perhaps Shelby Miller and Michael Grove. Should Miller get in trouble early, Roberts will not hesitate to go to the pen.