Preview, #85: 6/29 Diamondbacks @ Giants

After falling to the San Francisco Giants last night to even the series, the Arizona Diamondbacks will send their ace (working definition) Zack Greinke to the mound as they attempt to remain in the wild card race before the All Star break. Today is Greinke’s first start against the Giants in 2019 as we’re just now over the halfway mark, but he’s mostly dominated them over his career and more particularly in San Francisco. He’s yet to lose a start in San Francisco and owns a 1.37 ERA over 46 innings. Of course, those figures mean relatively nothing over his illustrious career. Greinke is posting the best K/BB ratio of his career currently, even as he is missing less bats altogether this season. It’s interesting because even though hitters are swinging through his slider and changeup less often it hasn’t resulted in more walks for him. Greinke has one more opportunity today to prove that he deserves to be an All Star for the fifth time in six seasons, but he’d probably say he doesn’t care about that.

For the San Francisco Giants, it’ll be Drew Pomeranz on the bump who will be facing Arizona for the third time this season. He’s been less than spectacular both times, walking five batters in 4 & ²⁄₃ innings on May 19th and surrendering eight hits and five earned runs in 2 & ²⁄₃ on May 24th. We’ve seen what Arizona’s offense did on their last road trip through San Francisco, 34 runs in three games, so tonight will be a perfect opportunity to replicate that success.

You will also notice that Alex Avila has been activated from the injured list and will be making his first start behind the plate since June 13th.