The Arizona Diamondbacks open their home series against the Cleveland Guardians. Check back here for updates on the game.
Diamondbacks vs. Guardians, 6:40 pm, at Chase Field
Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (7-2, 3.09) vs. Guardians RHP Triston McKenzie (0-1, 4.50).
By his lofty standards, Gallen has struggled a bit of late. He allowed five runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Tigers last time out. … That outing was an 8:35 am Pacific Time start, to which manager Torey Lovullo attributed Gallen’s struggles. … Gallen’s ERA over his last five starts is 4.67. It was 1.16 over his previous seven. … Pitching coach Brent Strom said Gallen has been moving too directly towards home plate in his delivery, rather than stepping somewhat towards third base as he typically does. … McKenzie has only made two starts this year after beginning the season on the injured list due to a right teres major muscle strain. … He had a breakout year last year, with a 2.96 ERA in 30 starts. … Despite only having middling velocity, McKenzie dominated hitters with a rising four-seam fastball last year. He used the pitch over half the time.
Coming up
Saturday: At Chase Field, 7:10 pm, Diamondbacks LHP Tommy Henry (3-1, 4.86) vs. Guardians RHP Shane Bieber (5-3, 3.29).
Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 pm, Diamondbacks RHP Zach Davies (1-2, 5.46) vs. Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (2-2, 3.91).
Monday: At Milwaukee, 5:10 pm, Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (8-3, 3.04) vs. Brewers RHP Corbin Burnes (5-4, 3.44).
About the Guardians
After going 92-70 to win the AL Central and make their fifth playoff appearance in seven years last season, the Guardians have struggled through two and a half months. They are just 31-36 entering play Thursday. The offense has been a huge reason for their disappointing season, having scored the second-fewest runs in baseball. Only Detroit has scored fewer. Perennial MVP candidate José Ramirez is having another excellent season at third base with a .839 OPS and first basemen Josh Naylor has a .789 OPS but the rest of the lineup is filled with players hitting in the low .200s with OPS numbers below .700 . On the mound, Shane Bieber has a 3.29 ERA but has seen significant regression in his peripherals, likely cooling the trade market around him. Cal Quantrill is having the worst season of his career, with a 5.61 ERA. He is now on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Cleveland Guardians pitching matchups, news and notes