D-backs, Jameson Hope to Salvage Series Split Against Padres

Drey Jameson takes the mound for the Diamondbacks in the series finale against the Padres.

The Diamondbacks have dropped two of the first three games of this four-game series against the Padres. The two losses have followed a familiar script, where the D-backs fall behind early before hitting their way back into the game only to see it slip away in the sixth inning. For the D-backs to reverse the script, they need to get better performance from their rookie starter Drey Jameson.

How to Watch

Television: Bally Sports Arizona (ARI); Bally Sports San Diego (SDP)

Radio: 98.7 FM Arizona's Sports Station, KHOV Univision 105.1 FM (Spanish)

Starting Pitcher Matchup

Drey Jameson (5 G, 2 GS, 2-0, 2.25 ERA, 16 IP, 15 K, 9 BB)

Jameson has made two starts since returning to the rotation on April 12th. In his last start, the rookie right-hander lost the feel for his wipeout slider and labored through 3.2 innings and 71 pitches against the Cardinals. He'll need to be more efficient this time out against San Diego. His one career start against the Padres came September 15th last season, in which held them scoreless for seven innings in his big league debut.

Jameson throws a 4-seamer that averages 96 MPH, a sinker that gets a lot of arm-side run in the mid-90s, a slider that is by far his best swing-and-miss offering, a curveball, and a changeup. He attacks hitters mostly with his two fastballs and his slider, which has a whiff rate of 64.5% of swings on the season. Jameson will need to be able to command the pitch in order to be successful today. 

Yu Darvish (3 GS, 0-2, 3.44 ERA, 18.1 IP, 20 K, 7 BB)

The Padres ace makes his second start against the D-backs this season. Darvish turned in a workman-like start for San Diego back on April 4th, holding Arizona to one run in five innings despite a myriad of baserunners. The D-backs would eventually win that game 8-6 after an offensive explosion against the Padres bullpen. 

Darvish brings one of the most expansive repertoires the D-backs will face this season, throwing nearly every pitch type anywhere between 70 and 96 MPH. According to Statcast pitch tracking data, he throws a 4-seamer, sinker, sweeper, cutter, split-finger, curveball, and a slider. He doesn't particularly favor any pitch, so the D-backs will have to just sit on a pitch and be exceptionally stubborn in their approach.

Lineups

Notes

Christian Walker is out of the lineup today. The D-backs first baseman was hit in the right forearm by a Tim Hill fastball in the eighth inning of last night's game, but completed the game. We'll update you on his status as soon as the information comes in. Pavin Smith, who is in the lineup with the injury to Walker, is hitting .333 (5-for-15) against Darvish.

Ketel Marte is hitting .423 (11-for-26) with a double, triple, and homer in his last seven games. He has a career .310 batting average (9-for-29) with a pair of home runs against Darvish.

Left-hander Tommy Henry has a locker in the D-backs clubhouse and will start the series opener against the Kansas City Royals tomorrow. Henry replaces Madison Bumgarner, who was designated for assignment Thursday, in the rotation.

Diamondbacks Run Wild in Comeback Win Over Padres

Report: Diamondbacks DFA Madison Bumgarner