ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
IN THE WEST: The D-backs are second in the NL West, 12.0 games behind the Dodgers, 1.5 games ahead of the Giants and 8.0 games ahead of the Padres.
VS. DODGERS: The D-backs open their final series vs. Dodgers during the regular season after having split the season series thus far at 5-5. Arizona split the season-opening 4-game set, 2-2, March 30-April 2; won the 4-game home series, 3-1, April 6-9; lost the 2-game home set, 0-2, Aug. 8-9.
HEATING UP: The D-backs have won 7 of their last 8 games and are 12-3 in their last 15 games (since Aug. 12), the best record in baseball in that span. Arizona looks to go 8+ games above .500 for the first time since July 25 when they were 55-47.
FIVE STRAIGHT SERIES: The D-backs have won 5 consecutive series (2-1 vs. Padres, 2-1 @ Rockies, 3-1 @ Padres, 2-0 vs. Rangers, 3-1 vs. Reds).
STARTING NOD: Over the last 11 days, since Aug. 17, D-backs starting pitchers lead the Majors with a 1.60 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 30 hits allowed and 0.90 runs-per-game. In their last 5 bids, since Aug. 22, Arizona starting arms have allowed 1 or no runs in 4 of the 5 games with a .184 average (19-for-103) and 11.79 K/9.0 IP over 29.0 innings.
RECENTLY ON THE ROAD: On their last trip, from Aug. 14-19 @ Rockies and Padres, the D-backs went 5-2 with a +10-run differential. Alek Thomas, in his last 7 road games, is hitting .400 (8-for-20) with 2 doubles, 7 runs, 1 RBI and 2 walks. Christian Walker, in his last 7 road games, is hitting 385 (10-for-26)/1.385 OPS with 1 double, 4 home runs, 8 runs, 11 RBI and 6 walks. Tommy Pham, in his last 6 road games, is batting .308 (8-for-26)/1.014 OPS with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 8 runs, 6 RBI and 1 walk. Gabriel Moreno, in his last 5 road games, is batting .300 (6-for-20)/.950 OPS with 1 double, 2 home runs and 7 RBI.
MOUND SUCCESS: Since August 17, D-backs pitchers have the Majors’ third-lowest ERA (3.19), trailing the Orioles (2.82) and Mariners (3.00), while also ranking in:
- Third fewest hits allowed (65)
- Third lowest WHIP (1.06)
- Tied for fourth lowest runs per game (3.60) [with Mets]
ANSWER-BACKS KEEP ANSWERING: The D-backs’ 35 comeback wins are fifth in the Majors, behind the Reds (41), Orioles (40), Phillies (37) and Red Sox (36).
STARTING PITCHER – RHP ZAC GALLEN
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: 2023 NL All-Star starting pitcher.
In his last 3 starts, is 3-0 with a 0.98 ERA (2 ER in 18.1 IP), 22 strikeouts, a 0.93 WHIP and .206 average. In 5 starts in August, is 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA (7 ER in 31.1 IP), 36 strikeouts, a 0.99 WHIP and .219 opponent average. His career-high 14 wins are 1 win shy of the MLB wins lead (15). In his last 6 starts against NL West opponents (all in 2023), is 5-0 with a 1.38 ERA (6 ER in 32.2 IP), 41 strikeouts, 0.85 WHIP and .187 opponent average. Is 1 start away from tying Wade Miley (102) for 11th all-time in D-backs starts.
NL RANKINGS: Ranks among qualifying NL leaders in WHIP (2nd, 1.06), wins (T-2nd, 14), games started (T-2nd, 27), win percentage (3rd, .737), innings pitched (3rd, 168.0), strikeouts (T-3rd, 179), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4th, 5.26), ERA (4th, 3.11) and opponent average (7th, .229).
LAST START: Earned his third consecutive win on Aug. 22 vs. Rangers (1 ER in 6.0 IP, 11 K). Lone run allowed came on a Mitch Garver solo homer in the sixth inning. Set a career-high with his fifth 10+-strikeout game this season (previous: 4 in 2022).
VS. DODGERS: In 10 career starts against the Dodgers, is 1-3 with a 2.88 ERA (20 R-19 ER in 59.1 IP), 72 strikeouts, a 0.99 WHIP and .186 opponent average (40-for-215). Is making his third straight start against the Dodgers @ Dodger Stadium…made his last start on March 30, 2023 (L; 5 ER in 4.2 IP, 7 K).
VS. NL WEST: In 8 starts vs. NL West teams in 2023, is 5-1 with a 2.72 ERA (15 ER in 49.2 IP). In 47 career starts against NL West opponents, is 14-11 with a 3.08 ERA (97 R-93 ER in 271.2 IP) and 302 strikeouts.
INNING INFO : Has pitched 6.0+ innings in his last 7 starts and struckout 8 or more batters in 4 of those 7 contests. Is 14-2 with a 2.28 ERA (37 R-35 ER in 138.1 IP), 151 strikeouts, 0.88 WHIP and .203 average when he pitches 6.0 innings.
IGHT OWL: Is 11-2 with a 2.63 ERA (27 ER in 92.1 IP), 101 strikeouts, 1.04 WHIP and .223 opponent average in 15 night games this season. His 2.63 nighttime ERA (min. 15 GS) is tied for second in the Majors with Brayan Bello/BOS behind D-backs teammate Merrill Kelly (2.34).
RISP-Y BUSINESS : In his last 3 starts, holding runners in scoring position to a .083 average (1-for-12) with 4 strikeouts.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: The Dodgers won their seventh consecutive road series yesterday, beating the Red Sox in Boston, 7-4. With the victory and the Braves loss in San Francisco, the Dodgers are just 4.0 games behind Atlanta for the best record in baseball. Following the 4-2 road trip, the Boys and Blue will begin a seven-game homestand tonight with the first of three against the red-hot Arizona Diamondbacks, winners of 10 of their last 12 contests. After Wednesday night’s game, the Dodgers will close out the homestand facing the aforementioned Atlanta Braves from Aug. 31-Sept. 3. The Dodgers hold a 12.0-game lead over Arizona in the National League West division. The Dodgers are 5-5 vs. Arizona this season, splitting the season-opening series at Dodger Stadium (2-2) and going 3-3 at Chase Field. Los Angeles last lost a season series to Arizona in 2018 (8-11).
DOMINATING THE DOG DAYS: The Dodgers yesterday improved to 21-4 in August with just four games left to play in the month. The Boys in Blue started the month with a 17-3 mark, tying a franchise record for most wins in the first 20 games of the month (also, July 2022, July 2017, August 2013, July 2004, April 1977, July 1963, July 1920, June 1900, June 1899). With their win last Friday, the Dodgers recorded their fourth straight season of 20+ wins in the month of August and became the 15th team in franchise history to reach the 20-win mark for the month. The Dodgers currently hold the best winning percentage in the month in franchise history:
TONIGHT’S STARTER vs. D-BACKS: RHP BOBBY MILLER (7-3, 3.86 ERA in 15 GS)
2023 SEASON NOTES:
In his last start on August 22 against the Guardians, he fired 6.1 innings, giving up six hits, four runs, one home run and one walk while punching out five in the loss. Had the longest scoreless innings streak for the club this season with 20 consecutive innings (May 29-June 17)…it was snapped on the 17th against the Giants Became the first Dodger pitcher since at least 1901 with a 6.0+ IP scoreless start allowing one hit or fewer within his first three appearances (ESPN Stats) First Dodgers rookie starting pitcher to earn the win in his first two career starts since Jose De Leon (9/04/16 vs. SD and 9/12/16 at NYY) Illinois native picked up the win in his Major League debut against Atlanta May 23 after spinning five innings and giving up four hits, one run and one walk while striking out five Owns a 1-1 record across four starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City with a 5.65 ERA (9 ER/14.1 IP) with 12 strikeouts and just 6 issued walks…has limited the opposition to a .212/.295/.385 slashline
VS. D-BACKS:
- Will face Arizona for the second time in his career…last faced the club on August 9, spinning six scoreless innings, giving up four hits and four walks while striking out four in the no decision
