The Diamondbacks lost the first game of the series to the Marlins 3-0, putting them in a hole for the series. In order to take the series, they will need to win the two remaining games. They’ll have their work cut out for them, as the Marlins have gotten very good pitching of late.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Left-hander Jordan Montgomery takes the mound for the Diamondbacks. Despite the 4.98 ERA, Montgomery has done a good job of giving his team a chance to win every fifth day. While his strikeout rate has dipped to just 14% in 2024, he has done a good job of avoiding barrels. As Zac Gallen said Friday night, the Marlins are a free-swinging team that could play into Montgomery’s game of using movement to miss barrels and give up weak contact. That will be the necessary formula for him to beat the Marlins tonight.
Sixto Sánchez has yet to live up to the prospect pedigree, being the centerpiece in the J.T. Realmuto deal with the Phillies in February 2019. He debuted to much fanfare in 2020 but had not seen a major league mound again until this season. Injuries have been an issue for each of the previous three seasons, but he’s healthy again in 2024.
The first inning has been a big issue for Sánchez, who has allowed 11 runs in five starts in 2024. Marlins manager Skip Schumaker called this issue “unacceptable” after Sánchez’s last start, where he allowed four runs in the first inning in a 7-3 loss to the New York Mets. Outside of the first inning, the right-hander has a 1.88 ERA this season. The Diamondbacks have hit .321 in the first inning with a .911 OPS and have scored 36 runs.
Starting Lineups
Game Notes
Diamondbacks
- Ketel Marte’s 21-game hitting streak was snapped against the Marlins, it was tied for the fourth longest hitting streak (Danny Bautista, 2004) in club history.
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (2-for-3, HR) and Randal Grichuk (0-for-3) are the only Diamondbacks to have faced Sixto Sánchez previously in their careers.
- Joc Pederson is hitting .327 with 10 doubles, five home runs, and a .969 OPS in his 32 starts this season. Pederson recorded his 500th RBI when he hit a three-run homer off Dodgers reliever Michael Grove.
- Eugenio Suárez is sitting on 249 career home runs entering play.
- Tucker Barnhart gets the start behind home plate. He has a .333 OBP in 17 games, reaching base 18 times (eight hits, 10 walks).
Marlins
- Braxton Garrett became the seventh Marlins pitcher to record a “Maddux”, or a complete game shutout in fewer than 100 pitches. Garrett only needed 95 pitches to shut out the Diamondbacks. The Marlins have five shutout wins in their last nine games.
- Despite a 18-34 record, the Marlins are a win away from their fourth consecutive series win. They previously beat the Tigers, Mets, and Brewers before heading to Arizona.
- Tim Anderson has the most experience facing Jordan Montgomery, with three hits in 14 at-bats.
Bullpen Situation
Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks bullpen is in solid shape after Gallen pitched seven innings. Bryce Jarvis and Matt Bowman threw a scoreless inning, but only threw 16 and five pitches so they’re available to pitch in this game. Everyone else is gassed up to go, with at least two full days of rest.
Marlins
Braxton Garrett’s complete game shutout gave the Marlins bullpen the entire night off, giving the entire unit two days off. Their bullpen should also be well-rested for this game as well.
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
