D-backs Try to Salvage Series Finale Behind Ryne Nelson

The Diamondbacks and Giants face off for the finale of a three game series today at Oracle Park, first pitch 1:05. The Giants took the first two games and trail the first place D-backs by 1.5 games following a stretch where they've won 10 of their last 12. The Dodgers are right behind at 2.0 game back.

Pitching Matchup

Ryne Nelson has had an up and down season, but may be trending in the right direction as he's been getting increased swing and miss. While his final pitching line last time out against the Brewers was marred by a Jesse Winker two-run homer, he didn't walk a batter and struck out six in five innings of work. Speaking to pitching Coach Brent Strom, he praised Nelson for becoming more of a pitcher instead of a thrower of late.

"He's mixing his pitches more. If you noticed the velocity I think maxed out at 95, where before he was busting a gut at 98 trying to blow balls by these major league hitters. He's controlling his slider more now, his changeup is more effective. He was throwing his changeup to right-handers. He's pitching!"

"I think this is the maturation of a young pitcher. It's really easy to default back to the mindset of I'm gonna grind and throw the ball by these guys. I remember watching a game at Dodger Stadium with Ken Howell , and he was throwing 99, and he threw the ball right by Dale Murphy. The next one was 101 and Murphy lined it over the left field fence in Dodger Stadium. So that told me something. All Murphy did was get his foot down a hair sooner and turned that 99 into 90. These guys can put wood to a bullet. They're that good."

Anthony DeSclafani started out the year hot for the Giants, going 3-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his first six starts. He's struggled over his last nine starts however with a 1-5 record 6.22 ERA. HIs FIP is 4.29 in that stretch and his BABIP is .351, so there might have been some poor luck involved. Left hand batters have a .297 average and .790 OPS against him, compared to a .224 average and .644 OPS against vs. right hand batters.

The Diamondbacks scored three runs off him in 5+ innings on May 13th in a game they went on to win 7-2

Lineups

Evan Longoria is back in the lineup today. He homered in his first at bat back at Oracle Park since leaving the Giants in free agency. Longoria has 10 homers and 20 RBI in just 117 at bats, and a triple slash of .239/.289/.556, .845 OPS. Since the demotion of Josh Rojas he's been playing somewhat more frequently but said before the game his body feels great and his legs are fresh.

Lamont Wade Jr. is out of the lineup today and Joc Pederson is in his place atop the order. Michael Conforto broke out of a long slump in a big way this series, going 4-6 with three doubles and five RBI in the first two games. Nelson struggles against left-hand batters at times, and the Giants have five of them, plus switch hitting catcher Patrick Bailey in there to try to take advantage of the platoon matchup.