Diamondbacks vs. Marlins Pregame — April 14, 2023
MIAMI, Apr. 14 — It’s Game One of a three-game set between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins, which is also the first game of a six-game road trip for the Diamondbacks. Prior to the game, manager Torey Lovullo met with the media on hand.
Torey Lovullo, Diamondbacks Manager
Being in first place two weeks into the season is “important for the young players,” Lovullo said. “It’s a way for these young players to say that all the hard work they’ve put in, all the concepts they’ve accepted, and all the coaching and teaching thrown at them is working. They’re the ones that are going out there and playing as hard as they have been. And it’s a very healthy environment right now. But we have a long way to go. All I’ll ask them to do is compete tonight. Let’s worry about tonight. Take care of it. See where we are. Then wake up tomorrow and do the same thing.”
The team might be in first place, but no one in the clubhouse has mentioned it, according to Lovullo. “It has not been brought up once,” he said. “To me, that’s impressive. Young teams can get sidetracked by the wrong things, but this group does not.”
The offense has been tacking on runs more than they did in 2022 and especially 2021. When asked what that is a byproduct of, Lovullo said, “Staying engaged. Staying focused. Being present.” He also mentioned understanding the urgency of each moment and inning. “When you get a (runner on base) you have to score him. It’s a basic concept. (But) there are some things we have to do better. I want us to get on base via the walk. When we get on base, we’re able to create some noise. To beat really good pitchers, you have to be patient. Good hitters are patient and draw walks. So as we continue to move this ball forward, we’ve got to find a way to be a complete team.”
Returning to the Scene
Madison Bumgarner is starting tonight. In his last visit to Miami, he only got to pitch one inning due to the infamous baited ejection from Dan Bellino. Lovullo, after blaming himself for not stepping in before the ejection could occur, said that he and Bumgarner learned lessons from that and are moving past it, focusing instead on competing.
Bumgarner, Lovullo said, is “trying not to be one dimensional. All the strengths that he used to have are still there, but he’s trying to be more versatile with throwing pitches in different areas. So when it happens and clicks, I think he’s going to be in a good spot. He’s working hard every fifth day.”
Marlins Throw Lefties, Diamondbacks Mix and Match
The Marlins’ first two starting pitchers for the series are left-handed. In previous years, that would have been a dagger to the Diamondbacks. But with the right-handed hitting talent they’ve added for this season, they are far better prepared to counter any tough lefties they might face.
Injury and Reliever Update
Joe Mantiply threw 14 pitches and followed with 11 pitches in the ‘pen to get to 25. Lovullo said Mantiply felt good and added that the data was good. Mantiply will continue with the throwing program today and get one more outing tomorrow in Amarillo. The goal is to have Mantiply throw more than one inning and get to 30 pitches before making a further decision. The Diamondbacks are looking forward to getting Mantiply back and having three high-quality lefties in relief, Lovullo said.
The Diamondbacks used six relievers Wednesday, but with the Thursday off-day, all of them are ready to go. Lovullo said the team always has to prepare for the “worst-case scenario” and added, “We’re covered. But it’s the first day of a road trip and a nice, long stetch of games. We have to be mindful of the importance of starting pitching and getting to that fifth, sixth, seventh inning so we don’t tax the bullpen.”
With Drey Jameson now in the rotation, the main source if they need length out of the ‘pen will be Peter Solomon. Lovullo said Solomon will be able to give the Diamondbacks 70 to 75 pitches, if needed.
Quick Hits
This game is a reunion for Marlins bench coach Luis Urueta, who was part of the Diamondbacks coaching staff for five seasons and a part of the organization for 21 seasons. … The game is a homecoming for Pavin Smith and a homecoming-of-sorts for Zac Gallen. Smith is from nearby Jupiter, Florida. Gallen pitched for the Marlins during the first seven games of his major league career in 2019 before heading to the Diamondbacks in a Deadline Day deal for Jazz Chisholm Jr.. … Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will face his brother, Marlins first baseman Yuli Gurriel, this weekend. … TV viewers will see the Marlins wearing their original teal hats and pinstriped uniforms from 1993. For the club’s 30th anniversary, every Friday home game is Flashback Friday. They have even put a video representation of the “Teal Monster” scoreboard from Joe Robbie Stadium on the video board in left field.
Main Photo Credit:
MIAMI, Apr. 14 — Members of the Arizona Diamondbacks outfield speak with coach Dave McKay prior to their game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park Friday evening. (Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay)
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