Game #39 Preview: Nelson Looks to Build on Encouraging Start

The Arizona Diamondbacks (20-18) look to snap a three-game losing streak as they take on the San Francisco Giants (17-20). Rookie right-hander Ryne Nelson takes the mound for the D-backs while being opposed by a combination of right-hander John Brebbia and left-hander Alex Wood.

Series Recap

Game 1: Tommy Henry and Alex Cobb engaged in a pitcher's duel last night, with Henry's lone mistake being a two-run homer to Casey Schmitt. Arizona was unable to mount any offense against Cobb, hitting into three double plays and a runner getting picked off first base.

Pitching Matchup

RHP Ryne Nelson (1-2, 6.00 ERA)

Despite struggling in his previous three outings, Nelson was able to make steps in the right directions last time out against the Nationals. His fastball averaged a season-best 95.6 MPH and was able to land his secondary pitches more regularity. He'll need to continue the same trend from the second half of his outing in order to maintain success at the big league level.

Nelson averages 94 MPH on the fastball, which he can be over-reliant on at times when he gets into trouble. He mixes in a cutter, slider, curveball, and changeup. Against right-handed hitters, he's four-seam, cutter, slider and against left-handed hitters he opts to use his changeup and curveball more.

RHP John Brebbia (1-0, 5.93 ERA) and LHP Alex Wood (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

The Giants are using an opener for this game, with right-hander Jon Brebbia taking on that role. Left-hander Alex Wood, who was activated off the injured list today, will be the bulk pitcher for the Giants.

Brebbia has appeared in 16 games, pitching to a 5.93 ERA on a 21/6 strikeout to walk ratio. He relies mostly on a mid-90s fastball and a slider down and away to stretch the strike zone vertically. Any right-handed hitter that faces him should expect a lot of sliders in the game.

Wood has made three starts, pitching 11 innings before going on the injured list with a hamstring strain. He's not stretched out for a starter's workload, having thrown just 46 pitches in his last rehab outing, so if Arizona can drive up his pitch count they might be able to get to the soft part of the Giants bullpen. Wood utilizes a funky delivery and relies on a sinker, slider, and changeup. He pitches to contact, seeking out weak ground ball contact to limit runs.

Lineups

Injuries/Roster Moves

The D-backs have placed left-hander Joe Mantiply on the 15-day injured list with a strained right hamstring and recalled left-hander Anthony Misiewicz from Triple-A Reno.

Notes

The D-backs lineup is designed with Wood in mind, as it resembles closer to their typical lineup against a left-handed starter. The main difference is Carroll batting third and Gurriel batting sixth, with a right-handed opener.

Giants rookie Casey Schmitt is 8-for-12 with two home runs in his first three major league games. Those eight hits have tied Hall of Famer Willie McCovey for the most hits by a Giants player in their first three games since 1901. Schmitt was 4-for-4 last night with a two-run home run.

Wood is 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 25 games (17 starts) against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his career. Opposing batters have hit .230 with a .660 OPS against the funky left-hander.

Arizona's bullpen has allowed runs in the ninth inning in five of their last six games. Opponents have scored 14 runs over that stretch. The D-backs have allowed the third most runs in baseball in the ninth inning at 23 runs, trailing only the Washington Nationals and Chicago White Sox.