Zac Gallen takes the mound for the Diamondbacks in a critical second game against the Boston Red Sox. The last seven weeks have been less than ideal for Gallen, who has a 5.24 ERA since the start of July. Opposing batters are hitting .293 with a walk rate of just under 10% over that stretch. While he hasn’t given up home runs, with only two home runs, it’s a sharp decline from the pitcher he was before his hamstring injury.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Diamondbacks are counting on Gallen to be able to right the ship to not only make the postseason but also make a deep run once they’re in. It was the same formula that worked to get them into the World Series last season. For Arizona to repeat history, they’ll need at least three starters to get hot and one of them has to be Gallen.
Every good start by Gallen in the final five weeks of the season goes a long way toward improving the Diamondbacks’ chances of going on another postseason. Arizona Diamondbacks on SI publisher Jack Sommers projected the final 33 starts of the season, with the ace on track to make seven more starts.
Starting Lineups
Starting lineups for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox on August 24, 2024 at Fenway Park.
José Herrera gets the start behind the plate. Gallen has a 2.96 ERA with 23 strikeouts and seven walks in five starts. The Diamondbacks will go with the same other eight starters from Friday night when they erupted for 12 runs in a blowout of the Red Sox.
Minor league journeyman Mickey Gasper will get a start at second base after getting an at-bat in the ninth inning of last night’s game. Gasper drew a walk against Dylan Floro, then was erased on a game-ending double play. He’ll replace David Hamilton at second base, with Konner Wong getting the start behind the plate.
Bullpen Situation
Due to the blowout win, the Diamondbacks only needed to use three relievers to finish out the game. Kevin Ginkel has seen a lot of use lately, staying in the game after getting hot in what was a three-run game before coming in a seven-run game. The rest of the bullpen is relatively rested thanks to an off day on Thursday.
The only reliever that should be down for the Red Sox is right-hander Josh Winckowski, who threw 55 pitches on Friday. Left-hander Joely RodrÃguez threw seven pitches to get two outs in the sixth inning.
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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
