Preview, #40: Arizona Diamondbacks vs New York Mets

Fuentes was a 1st-round pick by the Boston Red Sox (29th overall) back in the 2009 draft, but never played in the majors for them. Thus far, his experience consists of 36 games: 23 for the San Diego Padres in 2013, and 13 last year with the Kansas City Royals. All told, he has hit .243, but is still waiting for his first home-run, which is why his career OPS in the majors is a lack-luster .557, though it was much better during his stint in KC (.705). His number in Reno have also been very good, with a triple-slash of .376/.403/.481. But applying our Reno correction takes that down to .296/.303/.341, for a .644 OPS which is about what you'd probably expect from a fourth outfielder.

I think it's safe to say, he's not going to be as productive as A.J. Pollock: there are good reasons this 26-year-old has eighty major-league PAs, and over 3,400 in the minors. With him being a left-hander, it does give us the possibility of an all-southpaw outfield, once David Peralta (available off the bench tonight) has made his way back to full fitness, with Gregor Blanco completing the trio. Though not sure it would necessarily hit worth a damn. And they're all "true" lefties as well, who throw AND hit left-handed, unlike Daniel Descalso and Chris Herrmann. I think the last time we had an all "true lefty" outfield was September 2015, when one game saw us start Peralta, Ender Inciarte and Socrates Brito.

Tonight, it's a battle of the Zacks, with Godley vs. Wheeler. Zack gets this start as a result of a really good outing last time he pitches, allowing one run over seven innings. The Mets have been really struggling before this series - but you could say the same about the Pirates, and they ended up leaving here with a split of the four-game series. The D-backs are still looking for their first series win this month, despite the supposedly easier schedule. The losses of Pollock, Peralta and Chris Iannetta are not going to make this task any easier, but it's in the fires of adversity that we find out what metal we are made of. I like that. We should get T-shirts made.