Game #14 Preview: 4/21, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Texas Rangers

Nick Martinez RHP, 2-0, 0.00

Chase Anderson RHP, 0-0, 4.09

Leonys Martin - CF	A.J. Pollock - CF
Elvis Andrus - SS	Chris Owings - 2B
Prince Fielder - 1B	Paul Goldschmidt - 1B
Adrian Beltre - 3B	Mark Trumbo - RF
Shin-Soo Choo - RF	David Peralta - LF
Robinson Chirinos - C	Yasmany Tomas - 3B
Carlos Peguero - LF	Tuffy Gosewisch - C
Rougned Odor - 2B	Nick Ahmed - SS
Nick Martinez - RHP	Chase Anderson - RHP

The big news is, obviously, Tomas making his first start in the big leagues this evening. The line-up was announced before the news of Lamb's injury, which left a pitchfork-wielding mob heading for Chase Field looking rather embarrassed and having to make other plans for the evening. Maybe they can get some marshmallows and make S'mores using their torches instead? Still, the mob can cheers themselves up by watching an American League pitcher trying to hit this evening, always a source of much amusement and jollity. I hope Martinez gets some orange slices for his good effort....

Though if his last two starts are anything to go by, hitting will be the sole source of amusement for Diamondbacks' fans this evening. He hasn't allowed an earned run in 14 innings, five short of the record for a Texas starter at the beginning of the season. However, his BABIP is ,214, and with a low strikeout rate - only six, compared to five walks. That kind of thing typically isn't sustainable, and I'm hoping the D-backs will show good plate discipline this evening and wait for their pitches. With Martinez also being a fly-ball pitcher, he could find Chase Field not too conducive. So I'm calling it: Tomas bangs his first home-run as a Diamondback tonight. Hey, we can all dream, right?

Anderson has been almost as expected, with his current ERA of 4.09 virtually identical to the one posted last season (4.01). His K's are up a tick, but so are the hits. However, the latter is mostly the result of bad luck, since his BABIP is a bloated .414, despite his line-drive rate this season actually being below league average (23% compared to 25%). If that BABIP comes down, as it should, then that should lead to better things for Anderson. He hasn't won or lost a game so far, but I'm feeling optimistic - if you hadn't already guessed from the Tomas prediction! - so I'm also calling Anderson as picking up his first W of the season this evening.