Series Preview #15: Diamondbacks vs. Giants

It seems odd that it would take so long to face the Rockies and the Giants for the first time to start the season, but here we are. The Giants have struggled so far this season, limping to an 18-24 record, good for last place in the division.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are trying to recover from a rough few series. Series losses to the Rays and Braves were slightly offset by a couple of wins against the Pirates, but they look to continue the rebound against the Giants

Game 1 Jeff Samardizja (2-1, 3.51 ERA) vs. Merril Kelly (3-4, 4.79 ERA)

Only game in the series that has two traditional starters scheduled. Alphabet soup up there has been decent this season for the Giants. However, he hasn’t had a win since April 23rd, and has yet to go more than five innings in a start yet.

Merill Kelly picked up a tough luck loss against the Braves last time out, only giving up three runs in seven innings. Other than a couple of terrible starts, he’s been a solid back of the rotation starter for the Dbacks, and looks for that to continue.

Game 2 Madison Bumgarner (2-4, 4.04 ERA vs TBD

Madison Bumgarner hasn’t quiet been his usual self this season, and gave up another four runs in his last outing. Maybe all the trade rumors are getting to him. Anyway, he has always done well against the Diamondbacks, even at his worst points. He looks to provide the biggest challenge for the Diamondbacks this series.

Probably going to be a bullpen game for the Diamondbacks, with Godley being the Opener, but as far as I know, we haven’t been told, and Godley probably hasn’t either.

Game 3 TBD vs. Robbie Ray (3-1, 3.14 ERA)

And now it’s the Giants turn to have a bullpen game. Ray became the second fastest lefty ever to reach 800 strike outs in his career in his last start, and turned in a pretty solid start to boot. Until he puts in two or three seasons like that, I’ll be slow to say he’s finally figuring it out, but here’s hoping.

Conclusion

It’s hard to say with the two bullpen games, but I like Kelly vs the Shark for sure. The bullpen games are a toss up for me, so I’m going to say the two teams split them. Dbacks win the series 2-1. Go Sneks!