D-backs Aim to Take Game Two vs. Phillies as Zach Faces Zack

The Diamondbacks (41-25) will take on the Philadelphia Phillies (32-34) for the second of a four-game series at Chase Field. Arizona currently holds the best record in the National League but the Phillies are playing good baseball with seven wins in their last 10 games.

The D-backs took the first game of the series, overcoming a 5-1 deficit and holding on to a 9-8 lead. Manager Torey Lovullo took exception to the Phillies hitting their star player twice, leading to a benches-clearing incident and Lovullo's third ejection of the season. It will be important for the team to not have a natural letdown after last night's emotional win.

Pitching Matchup

Zach Davies is making his fourth start since coming off the injured list from a left oblique strain. Last time out, he held the Washington Nationals to two runs in 6 2/3 innings, striking out eight. Davies has only received nine decisions in 33 starts with the D-backs. After being overly reliant on a sinker-changeup combination last season, he's mixing in more cutters and curveballs to keep hitters off-balance. In four career starts against Philadelphia, he is 2-1 with a 4.84 ERA

Zack Wheeler faced Arizona back on May 22nd, with the D-backs defeated him and the Phillies 6-3. Wheeler allowed four runs (three earned) in six innings but was outdueled by Tommy Henry. He's coming off his best start of the season against Detroit, allowing just an unearned run in 7 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts. In his last five starts against Arizona, dating back to the 2019 season, he has pitched at least six innings.

Lineups

Corbin Carroll enters play with the second highest OPS, behind the Dodgers Freddie Freeman, at .968. When we account for the ballparks he played, his adjusted OPS+ edges out Freeman 168 to 166.

Kyle Schwarber has the most at-bats facing Davies, as he's hitting .188 with four home runs a .879 OPS in 36 plate appearances.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. tagged Wheeler for a home run in the second inning back on May 22nd.

Bullpen

The backend of Arizona's bullpen is a little taxed, with Castro throwing 24 pitches last night and Andrew Chafin throwing 26 pitches over the last two days. Scott McGough may end up playing the role of closer tonight, although Davies giving six innings would be a massive boost to the bullpen.