The Arizona Diamondbacks (61-60, 63-57 RL, 51-63-7 O/U) battle the San Diego Padres (57-63, 58-62 RL, 49-65-7 O/U) in the first of a four-game divisional series on Thursday evening. The Diamondbacks will have Zac Gallen on the mound. The Padres will reply with Rich Hill. The Padres lead the season series 5-4.
Zac Gallen will get the starting nod on Thursday. Gallen just took on the Padres in his previous start and was brilliant, completing six shutout innings, and was rewarded with the victory. The Diamondbacks ace has amassed a stellar 2.38 ERA in his three performances this month and is sporting a 3.24 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP complemented by a 12-5 record in 155.2 innings pitched on the season. Gallen has held the Padres to five runs (four earned) in 19 innings this season and has recorded a solid 3.34 ERA and a 3-3 record in 11 career meetings.
Arizona is on a brief road trip. They just won two of three in Colorado, scoring 21 runs in the series, and have now won back-to-back series for the first time in a while. The squad is only 2.5 games out of a wildcard spot but has a challenging schedule for the remain der of the month. The D-Backs stand at 4-6 in their last ten decisions.
Leveled the series. pic.twitter.com/upoChypxed
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 16, 2023
Ketel Marte is hitting a solid .300 with an .856 OPS against the Padres this season. The 29-year-old second baseman has 19 homers with 62 RBIs and an .835 OPS on the season. Marte has been quiet at the dish this month and if he can break it will give D-Backs a better chance to make up ground in the wildcard.
Arizona is scoring an average of 4.67 runs on the season, good for 13th. The pitching is carrying a 4.66 ERA, pegging them 25th.
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