Zac Gallen Leads the Diamondbacks into L.A. to Face Dodgers

The Diamondbacks (69-62) are in Los Angeles tonight for the first of three games against the Dodgers (80-49). Game time is 7:10 P.M. PST.

Pitching Matchup

Zac Gallen, RHP 14-5, 3.11 ERA is one of the leading candidates for the NL Cy Young award. His combination of innings pitched, run prevention, and overall consistent excellence has added up to being the NL leader in Baseball Reference pitcher WAR with 4.2. He is third in Fangraphs WAR, posting 4.6, behind Spencer Strider (4.7) and Zack Wheeler. (5.2)

Gallen pitched six strong innings in his previous outing against Texas, giving up just one run and striking out 11 in a no decision. He's only faced the Dodgers once this year, on opening day and took the loss giving up five runs in 4.2 innings. Gallen is 1-3 lifetime against the Dodgers in 10 starts, with a 2.88 ERA. All three of those losses have come in Dodger Stadium, but his 3.26 ERA in five starts in Chavez Ravine is more than respectable.

Bobby Miller RHP 7-3, 3.86 ERA is having an excellent rookie campaign. Miller began the year in Triple-A, but injuries opened the door and Miller stepped right in to make his MLB debut on May 23rd. He gave up just two runs in his first four starts, posting a 0.78 ERA in 23 innings. He then hit a rough patch in his next four outings, giving up 20 runs in 21 innings for an 8.57 ERA. He seems to have settled in since then, going 4-2 with a 3.67 ERA over his last nine starts.

Miller throws five pitches, four seam, sinker, slider, curveball and change up. The two fastballs average 99 and 98 MPH respectively with above average spin. The curveball has elite spin rate too, in the 98th percentile. His changeup to lefties is devastating, and he sports a 39% whiff rate with the pitch. Once he finds consistency he'll be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

Lineups

Torey Lovullo said he moved Alek Thomas up to fifth in the order tonight to break up the right handed batters in his lineup. "They've got four maybe five left hand relievers. I want to protect certain guys inside the lineup. If you're going to hunt for one matchup you're going to have to get some righties. I just want to be a little bit more dynamic. Plus he's been swinging the bat good" Since coming back to the majors on June 19th he's hit .282 with a .774 OPS in 173 plate appearances. Over his last nine games he's 10 for 28, .357 and also drawn four walks.

Lovullo was asked if someone told him in March that Corbin Carroll would have 20 homers and 40 stolen bases before the calendar turned to September what would he have said. "Rookie of the year, probably one of the best rookie campaigns of recent memory. He's on that pace." The only serious competition Carroll had for the award was coming from the Reds Matt McLain, who unfortunately went on the injured list today with an oblique injury.

As usual, the Dodgers lineup has arguably the two best player in the National League batting one-two in Mookie Betts (1.018 OPS) and Freddie Freeman, (.998 OPS). They both ridiculously hot over their last six games. Betts is 16 for 26, .615 B.A., with four doubles, a homer, nine runs and seven RBI. Freeman is 13 for 26, .500 with five doubles and six runs scored. If you can somehow navigate those top two hitters, the rest of the Dodgers lineup can be pitched to, but as yet nobody has really figured out how to contain either of these two MVP candidates.

Bullpens

Lovullo was able to rest Paul Sewald and Kevin Ginkel yesterday, although he simply didn't have any choice, as they were unavailable. Newly acquired Ryan Thompson stepped into the breach and locked down a save in his first outing as a D-back. Joe Mantiply has worked three games in a row and is likely unavailable tonight. That could come into play as that leaves only Kyle Nelson to come in late against the Dodgers left handed heaavy lineup. Scott McGough, who has strong reverse splits and is effective against left hand batters is likely down for tonight as well, as he threw 26 pitches yesterday and 18 the night before. Getting at least six innings from Gallen tonight is paramount.

Dodgers closer Evan Phillips has worked in three of the last four days and so Dave Roberts will be trying to stay away from him. The rest of the Dodgers pen should be available, although Caleb Ferguson threw 19 pitches last night.

Injuries:

Tommy Henry has still not begun a throwing program and was still experiencing some discomfort according to Lovullo. It seems time is running out for him to return this season, even in a relief role

Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin will be getting Tommy John Surgery and likely miss all of the 2024 season. Desginated hitter J.D. Martinez is still on the injured list with an groin injury and will not return for this series.