Out west, we will get to see two similarly young teams that have begun the season in drastically different ways. The Arizona Diamondbacks (23-18) will play their second of three games against the Oakland Athletics (9-33) on Tuesday night. For the time being the Athletics are still in Oakland, specifically the Oakland Coliseum. That will be the venue yet again, with the first pitch scheduled for 9:40 p.m. EDT. Here's where both teams stand right now.
Arizona enters this game not only as the top challenger for the NL West but also as the NL's top wild card. Their winning percentage is fourth in the National League. The Diamondbacks have put themselves in a prime position, led by an offense that's seventh in runs per game. Speed steals the show, as Arizona is 33/40 stealing bases (82.5%), third in doubles hit, and second in triples. The Diamondbacks are also second in strikeout rate and batting average. Clubbing homers may not be their method, but the Diamondbacks have no problems touching the plate.
WALK US OFF, LOURDES!! pic.twitter.com/Ts0KHI3nRA
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 14, 2023
Pitching is a different story in Phoenix, although the staff did their part in their three wins against the Giants over the weekend. Tommy Henry will collect his fifth start of the season in this one, desperate for a turnaround on the road. Henry's only start away from Arizona this season ended after four earned runs in 5.1 innings. The silver lining is that Henry's lone road start was in Coors, which is tough for most pitchers. He has pitched 12.2 innings in May and allowed four runs. The Diamondbacks have gone 3-1 in Tommy Henry's starts this season. Arizona might be 24th in team ERA, with a bad bullpen, but they're managing to win anyway.