Diamondbacks line-up
- A.J. Pollock, CF
- David Peralta, RF
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Yasmany Tomás, LF
- Brandon Drury, 2B
- Socrates Brito, DH
- Ketel Marte, SS
- Kristopher Negron, 3B
- Oscar Hernández, C
+ Patrick Corbin, P
Hopefully the D-backs will be able to get the game in and pick up their first victory of the season quickly, as the weather forecast seems to be looking fairly ominous around Phoenix this afternoon. At least we’ll only be expecting Corbin to get through a couple of innings, so no major issue if the day is cut short. This afternoon represents his first start since that horrific outing at Fenway on August 12, where he was tattooed for nine hits and eight runs in less than two innings. Admittedly, his defense didn’t help - half of those runs were unearned - but not having given the D-backs a quality start since June 21 didn’t help, and Corbin went to the pen thereafter.
Nick Piecoro wrote on Saturday about Corbin’s desire to get back into the rotation:
“I know I can start,” Corbin said. On this point – or on those related to it – he did not want to cede ground. He didn’t seem to think his move to the bullpen was for the best, despite the way he seemingly was able to turn his season around. He didn’t want the notion to exist that his arm might have been stronger late in the year because he was a reliever – didn’t want anyone to think he couldn’t handle a starter’s workload. And he wasn’t about to say he had to prove himself this spring – or, at least, he wasn’t planning to do anything different as he goes about preparing for his fifth big-league season.
Piecoro’s article points at Corbin’s lack of control as being key, so we’ll see how that goes today. Patrick says he has felt a lot better, and new manager Torey Lovullo seems content to let the past go, and allow Corbin to start, if he shows he can do it. Certainly, Archie Bradley’s poor first outing gives Corbin a chance for a very early lead, with Bradley likely the main rival for that fifth spot. No radio or TV for this one. Good luck if you are trying to follow it on Gameday. Our thoughts are with you...