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Zac Gallen and Chris Sale square off in of 2024’s most anticipated pitching matchups

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen faces the Oakland Athletics at Chase Field.
Jun 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The second game of the Diamondbacks vs. Braves series at Chase Field will feature one of the most anticipated starting pitching matchups, as Zac Gallen and Chris Sale will duke it out. First pitch will be at 6:40 P.M. MST.

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With the Diamondbacks and Braves both in the Wild Card Chase, this game has the feel of the first game of a postseason series. Both team’s best pitchers, with plenty of regular season and postseason experience, will face off against two terrific lineups. Assuming both pitchers are at the top of their game, this should be a low-scoring game with plenty of pitching highlights.

Gallen has been the anchor of the Diamondbacks rotation for years and is back from a hamstring injury. He’s coming off a third-place finish in the National League Cy Young race in 2023 but was not named an All-Star after missing a month with that hamstring injury. Gallen has been exceptionally tough following a loss, with a 2.86 ERA and a 40-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in such starts.

Sale has been rejuvenated in Atlanta and is on a short list of pitchers to start the All-Star Game for the National League. With Torey Lovullo in the dugout, there’s no doubt the Braves lefty will be eager to make his case. Sale faced Arizona on April 7, holding them to one run in 5 1/3 innings in a win.

The Diamondbacks have already adjusted their lineup to handle the sidearming lefty. Corbin Carroll is out of the lineup in favor of Jake McCarthy, with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Randal Grichuk each making their first start of the season as the DH and in left field respectively. The right-handed hitting Kevin Newman starts over Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop.

With the marquee pitching matchup in place, there’s no doubt the big game to watch tonight will be the Diamondbacks and Braves. Stay with us here at Burn City Sports, as we report what happens for the game.

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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB

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