The Guardians need some length badly from its starters, hopefully, Triston McKenzie can fill that void as he is on the bump today for Cleveland.
Also, who will be available to pitch from the bullpen will be interesting as a lot of pitchers used in the past two games. The Guards might want to bring up someone from Columbus to help out.
The Diamondbacks have been a team of streaks that either win or lose multiple in a row. After winning six straight, Arizona comes into tonight losing three in a row, all at home to Philly. Zac Gallen, who most believe is Arizona’s best starter, is on the mound tonight for the Diamondbacks.
Every Guardians fan will be checking their phone to see who the starting catcher is for tonight’s start. One would have to think it is David Fry after last night’s performance.
In Friday’s matchup, the Cleveland Guardians will counter with right-hander Triston McKenzie (0-1, 4.50) who aims to rebound from his previous performance, where he allowed five runs over five innings in a 6-4 loss to the Houston Astros.
McKenzie had made his second start of the season after an impressive outing against the Minnesota Twins on June 4, where he conceded only one hit and struck out 10 batters over five innings. His season debut was delayed due to a muscle strain in his shoulder.
During his previous encounter with the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 2, 2022, McKenzie suffered a loss, surrendering five runs (four earned) across six innings.
In Thursday’s game, Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan was excluded from the starting lineup for just the second time this season. Kwan has struggled at the plate this month, hitting .212 (11-for-52) in 13 games. Guardians manager Terry Francona explained that he believed Kwan needed a day off, despite the challenges of finding a suitable replacement for him as a leadoff hitter. Kwan eventually entered the game in the seventh inning and recorded a groundout in his sole plate appearance.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to confront their skeptics once again as they kick off a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians in Phoenix on Friday.
This season, the Diamondbacks have emerged as one of the most unexpected teams, currently leading the National League West. However, following a three-game losing streak against the Philadelphia Phillies, doubts have arisen regarding the possibility of a prolonged slump.
In defense of his team’s consistent performance, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo highlighted their versatility. He emphasized that the Diamondbacks possess a diverse roster capable of delivering results through various players. Lovullo pointed out that many of their players boast an impressive OPS of over .800, which is a testament to their talent and ongoing development. Furthermore, he acknowledged the team’s receptiveness to coaching, highlighting their commitment to learning and improvement on a daily basis.
Arizona will send right-hander Zac Gallen (7-2, 3.09 ERA) to the mound in the series opener. He was 7-1 in his prior 11 starts before struggling with an early start time in last Sunday’s no-decision against the Detroit Tigers, allowing five runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings.
The Guardians have been struggling on the road this season with a 15-19 record while the Diamondbacks have been doing well with a 21-17 record inside of Chase Field. During the month of June, there is a difference in the offense as Cleveland is scoring 4.42 runs in their 12 games while Arizona is averaging 5.62 runs in their 13 games during the calendar month. The Diamondbacks have been solid at home in this matchup as they have won four of the previous five against the Guardians so take the D-Backs as a home favorite here.
Our Pick: Take Arizona and the Moneyline
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