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After a road-trip which seemed a lot longer than it was - but I guess, between Coors Field and a 13-inning game on (inevitably) getaway day in Tampa, time becomes an illusion - it’s back to Chase for the Diamondbacks and a ten-game homestand. They have four against these Braves, then three against the Pirates and finish off with their first series of the year versus the San Francisco Giants. So far, the D-backs have played rather better on the road, where they are 14-9, than at home (7-7). But with Pittsburgh possessing the best current record of these three opponents, at that at only 17-16, these are three series which Arizona will be feeling they should win.
There was a roster move today, with Taylor Clarke being optioned to Reno, and replaced by Jon Duplantier. However, this does not necessarily mean that Duplantier will be taking Clarke’s spot in the rotation, which would be due up on Sunday. For more on this and other bits and pieces, here’s a series of informative Tweets from our SnakePit correspondent on the ground, Jack Sommers:
Per Torey Lovullo still not willing to commit to Sunday starter. They have "Plan A" depending on how things go these next 2-3 days, and Plan B etc. Said Godley was coachable & responding. My GUESS is plan t0 start Godley Sunday, unless they need him in relief b4 then, then adjust
— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) May 9, 2019
When asked about the possibility of a bullpen game Torey also said they any and all options are on the table and nothing has been ruled out.
— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) May 9, 2019
Alex Avila is still "very close", but no date given for his return. Caught back to back games at Salt River, (Sim games). Recovery day yesterday, and playing today. Will be evaluated to decide whether he needs to rehab stint or not. Didn't sound like it.
— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) May 9, 2019
Jake Lamb has been taking BP from coaches pitch, might take some infield tomorrow. Still taking it slow easing him back into running. Sounds AT LEAST 2 more weeks away
— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) May 9, 2019
We’ll see how the rotation situation develops as we go through this series. As mentioned, there’s a chance that we may see Zack Godley back on the mound. To back our Jack up, the other Jack, Magruder, calls that “possible/probable.” Which would make this one of the shorter stints in the bullpen.
Tonight though, it’s Luke Weaver on the mound, who has been shaping into form nicely. He has not allowed more than one walk in any of his last five starts, with a K:BB over that time of 37:4 in 29 innings. If Weaver matches that control tonight, he’ll join Zack Greinke, who began last season with six such outings. No-one has had a longer streak for the D-backs since Josh Collmenter had 10 consecutive starts, overlapping the 2014-15 season. But the all-time franchise mark belongs to Brian Anderson, who reached 11 straight in our inaugural season of 1998. Though neither of those men had the strikeout numbers Weaver has been posting of late.