With the Los Angeles Dodgers up next, it will be important for them to salvage the series finale and avoid a possible long losing streak. While they took the first two games of the NLDS at Dodgers Stadium last year, that venue has been a house of horrors for Arizona since the 2020 season. They have the potential to nip that in the bud with a win over the Tigers and keep their season alive.
The Diamondbacks are coming at the final game of a critical two-week stretch that could determine the direction of their season come the trade deadline. In that stretch, they are currently 6-5 but have a chance to make it a winning stretch should they salvage this upcoming game.
On the mound for Arizona will be left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who has pitched better than his numbers say. While he has a 4.76 ERA, six of the 15 earned runs allowed came on May 1 vs. the Dodgers. He’s coming off a solid effort against Cincinnati, allowing three runs in 5 1/3 innings with a season-high seven strikeouts. Perhaps trying to add a new wrinkle to a team he was facing a second straight start, he added a slider to his repertoire. It will be interesting to see if he uses that pitch tonight.
Detroit will send right-hander Matt Manning, who was recently called up from Triple-A Toledo. Manning was once a highly touted prospect, but injuries have kept him from getting his major league career off the ground. He has never faced the Diamondbacks before in his career.
Starting Lineups
Game Notes
Diamondbacks
- Ketel Marte is the 16th Diamondback with to record a hitting streak of at least 17 games. He extended the streak Saturday with a sixth inning triple, setting a new career high. The triple was the 38th in Arizona, passing Tony Womack for third most in franchise history.
- Starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery is 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA (8 ER in 24 1/3 IP) in four career starts against the Tigers. He has logged a quality start in all four.
- The Diamondbacks have won five of their last six day games. For the season, they are 9-6 in such games.
- Blaze Alexander will be making his first career start at third base this season. He previously made 14 starts at shortstop and four more at second base.
- Pavin Smith’s bat has been heating up of late, going 5 for his last 14 at the plate (.357) with two doubles, a walk, and two RBI in his last eight games.
Bullpen Situation
Diamondbacks
Arizona will still be without the services of Logan Allen and Matt Bowman, but the rest of the bullpen should be available to pitch in this game. Kevin Ginkel was the most taxed of pitchers in Saturday’s game, throwing 26 pitches in a night game. Bryce Jarvis threw 25 pitches in a scoreless ninth inning.
Tigers
Detroit’s bullpen is in excellent shape, thanks to 12 combined innings from Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty, although Beau Brieske had two up-downs in a 17-pitch effort Saturday night.
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