D-backs Look to Continue Momentum Against Banged up Tigers

The Diamondbacks (37-25) are currently in the soft spot of their schedule, going through a 12-game stretch in which they're facing teams with losing records. Arizona has won eight of their last 10 games and are looking to continue their momentum after taking both games in Washington D.C. earlier this week. Their next opponent is the Detroit Tigers (26-34), who host Arizona for a three game series. First pitch tonight at Comerica Park will be 6:40 PM ET/3:40 PM MST.

The Tigers have loss eight of their last 10 and are falling fast despite playing in a division with no team above .500. Their lineup and rotation have been completely decimated by injuries this season, which explains why they're last in MLB in runs scored per game (3.53) and 22nd in runs allowed (4.72).

Lineups

Corbin Carroll continues to swing a hot bat. In the month of June, the D-backs rookie outfielder is hitting .375 with two home runs, two stolen bases, and a 1.078 OPS.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. remains out of the lineup, as he's dealing with right groin tightness. Gurriel last played on Saturday against Atlanta. In his absence, Pavin Smith has been playing the outfield.

Javier Báez has the most at-bats against Merrill Kelly, with 13. Last year he hit a grand slam in what ended up being a 5-1 victory for the Tigers. Once signed to a nine figure free agent contract ahead of the 2022 season, he has struggled to a .220 batting average and just three home runs.

Pitching Matchups

Merrill Kelly has been nothing short of excellent over his past seven starts. Over that stretch, he is 6-0 with a 2.44 ERA, a 52/11 strikeout to walk ratio, and six quality starts (6+ IP, 3 ER or less). Last time out he held the Braves to two runs over seven innings, with both runs coming on Eddie Rosario solo home runs. Kelly is one of four players who should be representing the D-backs at the 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle.

Michael Lorenzen has been a solid free agent pickup for the Tigers rotation. He's pitching to a 3.21 ERA and has pretty solid peripherals with a 41/12 strikeout to walk ratio and only six home runs allowed in 53 1/3 innings. Jack Sommers mentioned him as a potential trade deadline target for the rotation. He doesn't blow hitters away, as evidenced by a 19.6% strikeout rate, but is very effective at throwing quality strikes to put hitters away.