The Jordan Lawlar Era Begins in Arizona

The Diamondbacks (72-68) will begin a critical series against the Chicago Cubs (76-64) at Wrigley Field. The Cubs account for eight of the D-backs next 11 games, although catching them for the second Wild Card spot may prove to be too difficult with a four-game gap. Even with that in mind, they still need to show they can defeat postseason contending clubs for their own confidence. The first game of the series will begin tonight at 4:40pm MST.

Jordan Lawlar, the D-backs top prospect, has been promoted to the big leagues ahead of today's game. Manager Torey Lovullo committed to playing Lawlar on a consistent basis yesterday, as he'll get 100% of the starts at shortstop against left-handed pitching and possibly some action at third base. Lawlar had not started a game at the hot corner until Saturday with Triple-A Reno. He'll likely make his MLB debut tonight, see lineups below to find out where he's batting in the lineup.

The D-backs also announced the following roster moves ahead of today's game:

Selected the contract of INF Jordan Lawlar from Triple-A Reno
Claimed C Seby Zavala off waivers from the Chicago White Sox yesterday, activated for today's game
Optioned C José Herrera, RHP Bryce Jarvis to Triple-A
Designated INF Buddy Kennedy (yesterday), INF Nick Ahmed for assignment

Zavala immediately slots in as the backup catcher, despite not being too familiar with the pitching staff. The

Pitching Matchups

Ryne Nelson (6-7, 5.47 ERA) has returned after a four-start appearance with Reno. Nelson was sent down in order to work on his slider, which pitching coach Brent Strom said he was encouraged by the reports. His rookie year has been anything but consistent, as he's struggled to get swing and miss and putting away hitters. If the slider is as good as Strom is hinting at, then we'll see a better version of Nelson than any point during the season. He features a fastball that starts 95-97 MPH early, but then settles into the mid 90s into the outing, that slider, a curveball, and a changeup.

Javier Assad (3-2, 2.69 ERA) started the season in the Cubs bullpen, but with injuries and performances affecting the rotation, he's been asked to step up. Last time out, he held the Cincinnati Reds scoreless for eight innings, striking out seven and allowing seven hits and walking just one. He aggressively uses three different fastballs, with his 4-seam fastball, sinker, and cutter accounting for nearly 80% of his arsenal. Assad also mixes in a slider, curveball, and changeup. The fastball-dominant approach has yielded excellent results so far this season.

Lineups and Notes

Jordan Lawlar will bat eighth and play shortstop in his major league debut.

Corbin Carroll is back in the lineup after exiting yesterday's game when he was hit in the wrist with a pitch. Carroll said the pitch hit him on the meaty part of the wrist and that he'll be fine.

Pavin Smith gets the start as the designated hitter, giving Lourdes Gurriel Jr. a rest day during this stretch of 17 games in 17 days.

D-backs Bullpen

Arizona's bullpen is taxed after having to cover 11 1/3 innings over the past two days. Luis Frias has pitched back-to-back days, throwing 27 pitches in total, which could make him unavailable for today. Otherwise every other arm in the bullpen should be a full go for tonight.

Rookie right-hander Bryce Jarvis was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Nelson, so Arizona will be without a long reliever for the next couple weeks. With 11 games left before an off-day on September 18th, the D-backs will need good starting pitching to keep the pen from getting exhausted in the team's most critical stretch of games.