PHOENIX — With Chase Field as the backdrop and a division gap to close, the Arizona Diamondbacks open their first series of the season against the San Diego Padres on Friday night.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!On Fridays, we wear purple. pic.twitter.com/2PQAlO8xuP
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 13, 2025
Fresh off a sweep of the Seattle Mariners, the Diamondbacks are finding consistency at the plate. Ketel Marte has been on a tear, hitting .320 over his last seven games with a .452 on-base percentage and .560 slugging. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also heated up, batting .316 over his last 15 games.
The Snakes are coming off of sweeping the Seattle Mariners, as their bats have come alive and their consistency at the plate has begun with execution from their stars. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Ketel Marte have recently led the way for this Arizona ball club. Marte in the last seven games is hitting .320 and slugging .560 with a .452 on-base percentage. Gurriel Jr. has hit a .316 batting average over his last 15 games, accompanied by a .456 slugging percentage.
Jun 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second base Ketel Marte (4) and Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) look on against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Friday’s mound matchups:
Ryne Nelson will look to shake off his last start and make the most of this opportunity for the D-Backs. Nelson only was able to get through three innings while allowing seven earned runs on four hits in a 13-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. With all of the injuries to the pitching staff this season, Nelson has come on and has been a bright spot at times and will look to continue that against San Diego.
Arizona D-Backs pitcher Ryne Nelson (19) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, June 7, 2025. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Padres will be having Stephen Kolek face off against Nelson on Friday night. Kolek has a 3-1 record with a 3.00 ERA on the season. In his last two outings, Kolek had an identical day as he pitched 5.2 innings and only gave up three hits and no earned runs in both outings against the Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants.
Jun 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona D-Backs pitcher Shelby Miller (18) celebrates with catcher Jose Herrera (11) after beating the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
Making up some ground is paramount for these Diamondbacks, as they currently sit 4.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the third spot in the NL West. The first pitch at Chase Field on Friday will be at 6:40 p.m. PT.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
