The Diamondbacks play the Detroit Tigers in the first of three games at Chase Field. They face the challenge of trying to score runs against the Tigers’ Opening Day starter in Tarik Skubal.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Skubal is having a breakout season, with a 5-0 record and a 2.02 ERA in eight starts. He’s averaging more than six innings per start, boasting the best WHIP in the American League and leading MLB in FIP (2.01). He’s held opposing hitters to a .189 average with a .504 OPS, with not much loud contact coming against him. It’s safe to say the Diamondbacks have their work cut out for them.
Opposing Skubal is Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson. Nelson has been hit hard in 2024, with a 5.33 ERA in six starts. Opposing batters are hitting .343 with a .936 OPS. Even factoring the start he was removed due to injury, he’s averaging less than five innings per start. Due to the injuries with the pitching staff, Nelson has been tasked with making starts every fifth day with the hope he’ll make progress each time out.
Skubal has never faced the Diamondbacks, who drafted him in the 29th round of the 2017 Draft. Nelson faced the Tigers on June 10, 2023, holding them scoreless for 5 2/3 innings on four hits, two walks, and four strikeouts.
Game Notes
- Randal Grichuk has been solid against left-handed pitching this season, batting .310 (13-for-42) with four doubles, and nine RBI.
- Ketel Marte enters the game with a 15-game hitting streak. The longest hitting streak of his career is 16 games, done May 16-June 4, 2022. Marte enters play with the fourth highest bWAR in MLB at 2.7, trailing Mookie Betts (3.4), Shohei Ohtani (3.0), and Bobby Witt Jr. (3.0)
- In his last 10 games, shortstop Kevin Newman is batting .424 (14-for-33) with five doubles, one triple, and a 1.094 OPS. Newman has taken over the shortstop position of late.
- Eugenio Suárez is currently sitting on 249 career home runs.
Bullpen Situation
The Diamondbacks have a fairly well-rested bullpen entering the series thanks to Brandon Pfaadt going seven innings on Wednesday. Logan Allen threw 49 pitches in relief with three up-downs on Tuesday, but could be available in a similar situation should the game get out of control. Primary setup man Ryan Thompson has pitched three times in the last six days, but did not pitch in back-to-back games over that stretch, so he should be good to go.
The Tigers made some recent roster moves to help fortify their bullpen, which lost Shelby Miller to an injury. Will Vest, Tyler Holton, and Beau Brieske pitched in Detroit’s most recent game on Wednesday, but haven’t seen any other action in the previous week at the major league level. Due to their starting rotation’s effectiveness, their unit is well-rested.
