Preview, #36: 5/9 @ Dodgers

A win for the Diamondbacks tonight would put them 10 games ahead of the Dodgers, and would also send Los Angeles back to 6 games under .500. The last time they were so far below an even record was June 2013, before they started their run of five consecutive division titles. While they did come back that year to win the West, at no point in the season were Los Angeles as far as ten games back, so that’s a double-whammy they haven’t overcome. Last night’s game must have been a gut-punch, coming all the way back to tie it in the ninth, then blowing multiple chances for a walk-off win (which would have been their third in a row over us) and being beaten by Daniel Descalso.

Mark Grace was commenting on the broadcast how defeated the Dodgers’ body language looked, coming out for the 12th inning, and it’ll be interesting to see if there’s any further carry forward tonight. They’re going up against a pitcher who has handled them very well this year. Patrick Corbin has allowed one run over 13.1 innings against the Dodgers, with a K:BB ratio of 17:3, and will be looking to extend that run tonight. Chris Owings returns from the hot corner to the more familiar territory of the outfield for the D-backs, with Deven Marrero manning third. David Peralta gets the day off, with a left-hander starting for the Dodgers.

It would be nice if Corbin could give Torey Lovullo at least 21 outs, the night after everyone in the bullpen was pressed into service. The good news is, no-one was particularly taxed: the most pitches thrown by an Arizona reliever was Yoshihisa Hirano’s 18, and with the day off on Monday, I imagine everyone would be at least theoretically available. I endorse the idea of building a big lead against Alex Wood, Corbin cruising into the eighth, and then turning the ball over to the back of the bullpen for the last couple of outs. Ten games up on the Dodgers, and with the Rockies already losing, a 4.5 game division lead? Works for me.