:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69032869/456736862.0.jpg)
Diamondbacks line-up
- David Peralta, LF
- Ketel Marte, CF
- Eduardo Escobar, 3B
- Christian Walker, 1B
- Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B
Nick Ahmed, SS- Carson Kelly, C
- Josh Rojas, RF
- Madison Bumgarner, LHP + LHP Alex Young, LHP Joe Mantiply, LHP Sam Moll, LHP Taylor Guilbeau, RHP Yoan López, RHP Jeremy Beasley
Old friend alert! For starting as a Red this afternoon will be former Diamondback Wade Miley. He has been quite the nomad since last pitching for Arizona in 2014. He has appeared for Boston, Seattle, Baltimore, Milwaukee and Houston, before landing in Cincinnati, where he went 0-3 with a 5.65 ERA. He’s now 34 years old, and this will be his eleventh major-league season. Ah, I remember the fresh-faced young kid, who finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, back in 2012, to some kid called Bryce Harper. Wonder whatever happened to him? Also, what stands out in today’s line-up, to both me and Jack, is Rojas starting in right field. Let’s see what Torey has to say, shall we?
Torey Lovullo notes
Torey is hoping to get Bumgarner stretched out as much as possible today. They’re also hoping to get 3 innings out of Alex Young. So if they can get through most of the game with a couple of pitchers that would be ideal.
There are no injury updates. Nick Ahmed wanted to get additional AB’s in a backfield sim game today so there was a late lineup change, (that’s not yet showing on MLB.com as of this writing): “the hitters enjoy getting multiple at bats right in a row and get a feel”
Taylor Clarke went 5 IP, 75 pitches in a sim game today. A long back and forth discussion ensued about their intentions with Clarke and whether or not he will be the 5thstarter in Zac Gallen’s absence. Torey said he would of course get a lot of consideration because he’s stretched out and been a starter in the past. But there is a lot value to having him in the bullpen too, and there are still things they are trying to figure out.
“He’s made improvements in every area of his game. He’s sharpened up the breaking ball, the fastball is very aggressive, he’s landing it. The GAMEPLAN [Drink!] and the attack has been simplified and he’s been progressing and doing a good job of following the GAMEPLAN [Drink!]”
He also acknowledged that Tyler Clippard going down and creating an extra bullpen spot has complicated the discussions around the bullpen and rotation. But challenged somewhat by the beat writers on the relative importance in filling the 5th starter spot vs. a bullpen spot Torey would not be pinned down. It was an interesting back and forth, suggest a listen to the audio.
Regarding Josh Rojas starting against a lefty: ‘There is a little method to my madness”. He’s just trying to get him some more reps.
Torey Lovullo audio [or link]
Game coverage
This game can be found on the radio, at 620 AM Arizona Sports. Your recap will be brought to you by Turambar, though given the early, weekday nature of the game, we probably should not expect a full beercap on this one! Actually, it’s Jack on the recap. I hate group texts. :)