D-backs Go For Series Victory in Finale vs. Yankees

The Arizona Diamondbacks should be in Chicago kicking off their White Sox series. However, the weather had other plans for them. Their stay in the Big Apple was extended one more day to complete the series in New York with the Yankees. As I reported on Saturday, the D-backs were forced to move their Monday game with the White Sox to Thursday. This eliminates the off-day the team was supposed to have. However, thanks to that move, Saturday's game which was canceled due to rain, was moved to Monday. The D-backs and Yankees have split the first two games in the series. Coincidentally, both games were decided by a score of 7-1. Arizona won Sunday's start behind the strong pitching of Zac Gallen and some timely hitting by the offense.

The 82-73 Diamondbacks have a half-game lead over the 82-74 Cubs for the 2nd Wild Card spot. The D-backs possess the tiebreaker over Chicago. The Marlins are right behind them with a record of 81-75, just 1.5 games back of the D-backs. The Miami Marlins hold the tiebreaker over the D-backs so if the two teams tie at the end of the season, the Marlins would claim the playoff spot in the NL Wild Card. The Reds are effectively out of it at 80-77 and sitting 2.5 games back of the Cubs for the third spot.

Pitching Matchup

Merrill Kelly is on the mound for the D-backs. He will be making his 29th start. This start is lined up for him on normal rest. It will allow him to start on normal rest against the Astros this Saturday in what is a defining series as to whether the D-backs make the playoffs or not.

Kelly has been effective this season against both right and left-handed batters. He's limited right-handed hitters to just a .230 batting average and a .673 OPS. As for left-handed batters, he has limited them to an even better .215 average and .672 OPS. However, he has struggled on the road. In 14 games on the road, he's pitched to a 4.10 ERA over 79 innings. He's given up 79 hits, 31 walks, and 76 strikeouts. Although, he does have a 7-3 record.

He has had an odd month so far. While the baseline stats say that he's having a strong month in September, it's been a bit lucky. He's given up just one run in three of his last four outings. However, on that other outing, he gave up seven runs and walked four. Walks have been an issue as he has walked at least three batters in each of his last three starts. He's off-set that with at least five strikeouts in each of his last four starts.

As for the Yankees, they are starting Clarke Schmidt. I covered him in detail in the series preview article. He has a 4.14 ERA over 82.2 innings at Yankee Stadium. He's been homer-prone in New York, allowing 15 of them. Schmidt has had a difficult September. Over his three starts, he went 1-1, throwing just 16.2 innings. During that time, he's given up 16 hits, 11 runs, five walks, and struck out 10 batters. That is a 5.40 ERA and 5.48 FIP.

Starting Lineups

The Diamondbacks are without Ketel Marte once again due to an illness. This will allow Jordan Lawlar to get a rare start against a right-handed pitcher. Lawlar went 0-3 yesterday but has worked a walk in two consecutive starts. Corbin Carroll leads off again as he looks to continue his strong flourish in September. He's hit .317 with six extra-base hits and nine stolen bases. Moreno led off on Sunday and hits second today. He'll look to continue his excellent September too. Over 17 games and 15 starts, he's hit .353. He has played in the D-backs last eight games.

After Christian Walker's 1-for-29 skid, he's continued to show signs of breaking out of that slump. Over his last six games, he has hit .292/.308/.500 with three extra-base hits. Gurriel Jr. is trying to finish his season strong as well with a .297 batting average and ten extra-base hits with four home runs so far in September. Perdomo is breaking out of his slump too after having gone 0-for-22. He has four hits in his last 13 at-bats.