|
|
A chance for Arizona to make a statement, and help out both the Rockies and Giants, with a four-game series against the division-leading Dodgers. Los Angeles hit a rough patch after the All-Star break, and saw their lead cut from nine, to as little as two games just last week. However, they have righted the ship of late, taking two of three from both the Rockies and Reds on the road, and return to Dodger Stadium where they are 40-25, the second-best home record in the NL [the Cardinals are 41-25].
Having managed to pull a win out against a left-handed starter yesterday, the Diamondbacks get to 'enjoy' another opposing southpaw today. We've already seen Wolf three times this season, and he is 2-0 with a 3.92 ERA against us in those starts - the one time we got to him, for five runs in six innings, the bullpen let him off the hook with one of their patented eighth-inning meltdowns. Davis has faced Los Angeles twice in 2009, allowing six earned runs in 10.1 innings, so advantage Dodgers probably there.
However, the Diamondbacks have got their ship righted, sweeping the Astros over the weekend, and are on a four-game winning streak. They will have to do it without Chad Qualls, as Nick Piecoro reports he will have surgery on the knee, ending his season - Billy Buckner replaces him on the roster, according to the Dbacksinsider Twitter feed. In the same story, Nick Piecoro says two teams are apparently interested in Jon Garland, with a view to getting him available for their post-seas roster. We'll see how that goes.
Line-up
- Ryan Roberts LF
- Rusty Ryal 2B
- Justin Upton RF
- Mark Reynolds 3B
- Miguel Montero C
- Chris Young CF
- Brandon Allen 1B
- Augie Ojeda SS
- Doug Davis P
Might be a bit late, as we're watching Rocknrolla, but should about for most of this one.