Diamondbacks Try to Avoid Series Sweep Against Dodgers

The Diamondbacks play the Dodgers in the final game of a three game series tonight, first pitch 7:10. L.A. took the first two games 7-4 and 9-1, getting to Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly for three runs in the first inning in both games and never looking back.

Lineups

Corbin Carroll continues his march towards the Rookie of the Year award. He hit his 23rd homer of the year last night on a breaking pitch that flew out to deep center-field for the D-backs lone run. An amazing stat was highlighted on twitter.

before tonight, Clayton Kershaw had thrown his signature curveball 1,153 times to LHHs in his career (regular season + playoffs)

this is just the 3rd time it's been hit for a HR, joining Charlie Blackmon (2019) and Matt Adams (2014 NLDS Game 4)pic.twitter.com/JByFsed5ei
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) August 30, 2023

Torey Lovullo said of the homer "He's got a very efficient pure swing so when he barrels it up he can put a charge in it and he back spun it". Carroll's OPS is back up to .884 and OPS+ is at 140. Including Carroll, only seven rookie players have qualified for the batting title. Christian Walker holds the previous highest OPS at .825 and OPS+ with 111. Report link

Mookie Betts hit his career high 36th homer last night. He leads the National League in OPS at 1.020 and OPS+ 173. He's also taken over the Baseball Reference WAR lead from Ronald Acuna Jr, 7.4 to 6.5. He leads by a similar margin in Fangraphs WAR as well, 7.5 to 6. 5. As such, MVP voters may be turning their attention from Acuna to Betts with one month to go in the season.

Pitching Matchup

Brandon Pfaadt is 1-6 with a 5.91 ERA in 13 starts. In Seven starts since returning to the majors, his ERA is a very respectable 3.48. He picked up that first win last week against Cincinnati going 5.1 innings and giving up two runs while walking one and striking out five. He is learning to locate his fastball better and is getting swing and miss with his sweeper and changeup. According to Lovullo, the big difference has been the finish and life to his fastball and his ability to locate it in three different places, down, in and up.

Ryan Pepiot is starting for the Dodgers today. He has pitched in two games in long relief with just nine innings. He's thrown 75 & 76 pitches his last two outings giving up only two runs. His most recent outing was August 24th. He should be able to throw at least that many pitches today unless Dave Roberts decides to turn this into a bullpen game.

Health Notes

Drey Jameson (UCL, 60 day IL) is throwing out to 100 feet and is expected to throw a bullpen in about a week. Lovullo still would not rule out the possibility of Jameson getting back on a mound in game before the season is over.

Tommy Henry (Elbow, 60 day IL) has not yet begun a throwing program and is likely past the point of no return to still make it back this year.

Mark Melancon (Shoulder, 60 day IL) has been throwing bullpens and trying to rebuild arm strength.

Corbin Martin (Torn Lat tendon tear, 60 day IL) has started a throwing program with an eye towards having him build up to be able to throw off a mound and then take a normal off-season in preparation for next year.