D-backs Try to Extend Season-Saving Surge Against Padres

What a difference a week makes! Last week, the Diamondbacks were in the middle of a nine-game losing streak. Now they've won five of their last six games and are just one game back of the final National League Wild Card spot. The D-backs will have a chance to close ground tonight, as they take on the San Diego Padres. Today's starting pitching matchup is a rematch from Sunday's game, in which Arizona won 5-4.

Brandon Pfaadt (0-6, 6.91 ERA, 50 SO in 54 2/3 IP) rebounded from a three-run first and came one strike short of a quality start on Sunday. The rookie right-hander has been better in his past five starts, pitching to a 4.34 ERA/4.23 FIP with 29 strikeouts and six walks in 29 innings. Pfaadt features a 4-seamer that's 92-97 MPH with a sweeper in the mid 80s, a changeup, and a curveball. The curveball has developed into an interesting third pitch, to help with an inconsistent changeup and a hittable fastball.

Seth Lugo (4-6, 4.16 ERA, 94 SO in 97 1/3 IP) has been close to a league-average starter, with his park-adjust ERA of 98 being just 2% worse than the average. Health has been an issue, as he's been limited to just 18 starts in the season. On Sunday, he allowed two runs over five innings and walked away with a no-decision when the D-backs plated three runs in their final two at-bats. Lugo features a mid-90s fastball, sinker, curveball, slider, and changeup. The curveball, which has an elite spin rate and 12-6 movement profile, is his main out pitch.

Lineups

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is back in the lineup. Gurriel was pulled from Wednesday's game with a left hip contusion and was available off the bench last night if necessary.

Tommy Pham enters play with an eight-game hitting streak. Over that stretch he's hitting .323 with two home runs and a .966 OPS.

Bullpens

Arizona's bullpen is still reeling from a taxing series at Coors Field. Left-hander Kyle Nelson has pitched on four of the last five days and is likely unavailable to pitch tonight out of the pen. Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel, and Miguel Castro have been under heavy usage lately, with all three appearing four times in the past six days. With the season on the balance, the team will ride their best relievers down the stretch so they could be available tonight. In the event of a short start, right-hander Bryce Jarvis could be available three days after throwing 51 pitches in his MLB debut.

San Diego's bullpen is rested after Rich Hill and Pedro Avila combined for nine innings last night. Avila, who has found himself following Hill in his last two appearances, is the only Padres pitcher who is unavailable tonight.