Breaking :Diamondbacks Head Coach Torey Lovullo Confirms Shocking Decision Ahead Of Series Finale vs. Dodgers…

Turn to Brandon Hughes as Opener for Series Finale vs. Dodgers…

After splitting the first two games of the series, the Diamondbacks have an opportunity to pick up a series win over the National League West rivals. Once again, the team will deploy an opener against the Dodgers’ top three hitters, which includes two left-handed hitters, to try to neutralize their impact in the first inning. Joe Mantiply pitched in the series opener while the recently recalled Brandon Hughes will get the nod in the finale.

 

This situation is not unique for Hughes, who served in the same role in the bee game on April 30 when the team decided to scratch Jordan Montgomery. That night, he pitched a scoreless first inning while striking out Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. The Diamondbacks are hoping for similar results this time out.

 

Following Hughes will be Ryne Nelson. Nelson has struggled to get consistent results this season and is coming off an outright disaster of a start against the Detroit Tigers. Nelson allowed eight runs on 11 hits over four-plus innings, seeing his ERA balloon to 7.06. He has not been able to pitch past the fifth inning in all but one of his starts, which explains why the team is going toward the opener route.

While the Diamondbacks try to piece together this game, they face the challenge of trying to score off one of the game’s best starting pitchers. Tyler Glasnow was a key trade acquisition for the Dodgers, and he’s been as good as advertised. The 6’8″ right-hander is 6-2 with a 2.90 ERA in 10 starts. He’s averaging more than six innings a start with a 0.90 WHIP and leads the National League with 81 strikeouts while only issuing out 16 walks. He features a power arsenal with a fastball that averages over 96 MPH, a slider, and a curveball. The two breaking pitches generate a lot of swing-and-miss, with whiff rates of 38.3% and 47.6% respectively.

 

Bullpen Situation

Diamondbacks

Left-hander Joe Mantiply is unavailable after pitching in three of the last four days. Ryan Thompson and Paul Sewald have pitched in two of the last three days, so they’d only be available in a need to have basis. The rest of Arizona’s bullpen is in pretty good shape in terms of use.

Dodgers

The recently-acquired Yohan Ramírez threw 34 pitches in two innings against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Michael Grove pitched the seventh inning, but only used 20 pitches. The rest of the Dodgers bullpen did not pitch, so they should be available.