Tall Task for Tommy Henry, D-backs Against Giants Alex Cobb

The Diamondbacks (20-17) host the Giants (16-20) in the first contest of a four game series, beginning tonight at Chase Field at 6:40 P.M.

The D-backs are coming off a series loss to the Miami Marlins and have dropped 2.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games and 10-10 in their last 20. The Giants are also coming off a series loss, dropping two of three to the Nationals at home earlier this week. It's been a disappointing and injury filled season for the Giants so far, but they have their best pitcher on the mound this season.

Pitching Matchup

Alex Cobb had his best April since his rookie year in 2013, by posting a 2.43 ERA in 33.1 innings. Then he pitched seven shutout innings on May 5th against the Brewers, lowering his ERA to 2.01. Cobb has always had a good sinker/split combo and this year is no exception. He has added a slider this year against right hand batters exclusively and it has a tremendous amount of both vertical and horizontal break, but the results on the pitch have not been good, (.583 slugging against the slider)

Tommy Henry is making his fourth start of the year. He went six innings allowing just two runs to the Nationals in a no-decision on May 6th. He will likely need to be on his game tonight against the red hot Cobb and continue to make his case to hold on to his rotation spot. Henry has faced the Giants once before, on September 23rd of last year, giving up five runs. Fortunately he won't have to face teammate Evan Longoria, who had a three hit game that night.

Lineups

Corbin Carroll is getting a targeted game off as he continues his recovery from a left knee contusion. He has been able to play through it, but the team's medical staff and manager Torey Lovullo worked out this game and best night to give him off. The Giants might be starting a lefty tomorrow night (Alex Wood), and it might be better to have Carroll face the lefty than Alek Thomas. Christian Walker is 6-14, with a homer and three walks against Cobb.

Bullpen:

Giants closer Camilo Doval and primary setup man Taylor Rogers both last worked on Tuesday and should be available tonight.

Andrew Chafin threw 22 pitches last night and Torey Lovullo may try to stay away from him in this game.

Manager Notes

Zach Davies is going to need two more rehab starts before being activated. The first of those two may come this Sunday in the form of a simulated game at Salt River Fields. The second will be required to get his pitch count over 65 so that he is ready to go at least 80 when he does return. That puts him on a timeline to make his first start around May 24th or 25th

Kyle Lewis played in an extended spring training rehab game today and all seems to be going well. No time table for his return to MLB has been outlined.

Look for the team's new Snake celebration following a home run. Lovullo said the players came up with that all on their own and he loves that they have fun with it.

The team did extra defensive practice on how to handle bunt plays. Lovullo said it was mostly a maintenance measure to reenforce what they work on in spring and also to give newcomers like Jose Ruiz a chance to work on the plays at fast speed, as he was not with the team at the beginning of the year.