:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13618993/169021534.0.jpg)
|
|
Diamondbacks Line-up
- A.J. Pollock, CF
- Didi Gregorius, SS
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Cody Ross, LF
- Miguel Montero, C
- Martin Prado, 3B
- Gerardo Parra, RF
- Cliff Pennington, 2B
- Brandon McCarthy, P
Ah, the joys of batting average on balls in play. McCarthy's BABIP during his five April starts = .404, a significant factor in why he went 0-3 with a 7.48 ERA. Over his four May appearances? .267. The latter is much more credible in terms of a long-term, sustainable number - while perhaps a little low, given his career figure is .289, it's not too far out of whack. So I'm cautiously optimistic that we'll be enjoying this version, as the "real" Brandon the rest of the way. Maybe not quite the one who has posted 17 consecutive scoreless innings, over the past two games, but I'd settle for the one who has given us a May ERA, down at an excellent 2.15.
It'll actually be the first time McCarthy has ever faced the Padres, and their current roster has a total of nine plate-appearances lifetime against him, most of those coming courtesy of Mr. Dead Horse v1.0. Arizona missed Stults over the earlier series, in San Diego:: we faced him three times last year, though the results were all over the place. While all three outings lasted 6-7 innings, he allowed six, zero and three runs respectively, so take from that what you will, and you'll probably find something to reflect tonight's results. Ross, Goldschmidt, Montero and Prado all have career OPS's against him in excess of 1.000, though that's 36 PAs combined, so small sample size applies.
Scoreboard watching will likely be in full effect tonight, as the two teams with whom we are tied for the lead in the NL West, the Giants and Rockies, are facing each other in San Francisco. So actually, in terms of the standings, I guess it doesn't matter much who wins, since our destiny is entirely in our own hands. We'll either be tied with one for first, and a game ahead of the other (if we win), or tied with one for second, a game behind the other (if we lose). BattleMoses is on the recap tonight, 'charmer continuing to find better things to do on a Friday night! :)