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The La Russa Heartbreakometer
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Randall Delgado
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Anthony DeSclafani
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| Ender Inciarte - LF | Brandon Phillips - 2B |
| A.J. Pollock - CF | Eugenio Suarez - SS |
| Paul Goldschmidt - 1B | Joey Votto - 1B |
| David Peralta - RF | Todd Frazier - 3B |
| Aaron Hill - 2B | Jay Bruce - RF |
| Jake Lamb - 3B | Brennan Boesch - LF |
| Jarrod Saltalamacchia - C | Tucker Barnhart - C |
| Chris Owings - SS | Ryan LaMarre - CF |
| Randall Delgado - RHP | Anthony DeSclafani - RHP |
Delgado becomes the 11th pitcher to start a game for the Diamondbacks last season, matching last season's total and one off the franchise high of 12 starters, most recently used in 2010 and previously in 2004. We'll see how much higher it may go in September, though with Archie Bradley likely also joining the rotation, there may not be need for more. The current figure is also one fewer than the Reds, and two below the league high-water mark of 13, used by both the Dodgers and Phillies. At the other end, the Padres have had the most consistent rotation in the National League, having needed only seven starting pitchers thus far.
According to Nick P, Chip Hale is thinking a 75 pitch limit for Delgado today. It would seem to be a little bit of a stretch, though in May he did have a couple of outings where he threw 48 and 56 pitches, so it's not entirely excessive. He has had seven appearances this season where he has thrown thirty or more, so he is certainly among the longer of our available relievers. Behind him, we might see Godley, last used on Wednesday when he threw 35 pitches, or possibly Chafin, who tossed 19 on Thursday. After that, see how it breaks down, but most of the bullpen was rested yesterday, so we should be okay.
Delgado's last games as a starter were in September last season, and didn't go badly. He threw 61 and 80 pitches, and allowed a total of three earned runs over nine innings - four in the first start, then five in the second - on nine hits and two walks with five strikeouts. He had also been part of the rotation, briefly, in April, but let's just say, those two games didn't go quite as well, and move rapidly on, shall we? He has been solid out of the bullpen, so I'm thinking he should be fine first time through the order. Hopefully he can get some quick outs, and then see if he can handle batters when they get to see him for a second time.