{"id":5204,"date":"2023-05-19T16:46:55","date_gmt":"2023-05-19T23:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=5204"},"modified":"2023-05-20T12:39:52","modified_gmt":"2023-05-20T19:39:52","slug":"diamondbacks-report-athletics-pirates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/05\/19\/diamondbacks-report-athletics-pirates\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamondbacks Report: Two of Three from Athletics; Three with Pirates Next"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diamondbacks Report: Two of Three from Athletics, Pirates Next<\/h2>\n

The Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> (25\u201319), second place in the NL West and 2 1\/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> (28\u201317) after taking two of three from the Oakland Athletics<\/a> (10\u201335), continue their nine-game road trip Friday in Pittsburgh. There they will face the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> (23\u201320) in a weekend series. This edition of Diamondbacks Report will briefly review the Athletics series before previewing the key details of the three games with the Pirates.<\/p>\n

Diamondbacks \u2013 Athletics Series Summary<\/h3>\n

Game One was all about Merrill Kelly<\/a><\/strong>, who allowed one earned run on four hits in seven-plus innings. He walked one while striking out nine. Miguel Castro<\/a><\/strong> and Andrew Chafin<\/a><\/strong> pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth, respectively, to seal the win. Of note in this game was the ejection of manager Torey Lovullo<\/a><\/strong> in the eighth after first base umpire Brock Ballou ruled no swing on an eighth-inning appeal, leading partly to Kelly\u2019s lone walk. When Kelly left the game, he also got the thumb, verbally disputing Ballou\u2019s decision while leaving the field.<\/p>\n

Game Two saw a costly seventh-inning error by Evan Longoria<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 on a play that would have ended the inning \u2014 be the turning point of the game. After the error, five unearned runs \u2014 four on a Ryan Noda<\/a><\/strong> grand slam the batter after the error \u2014 turned an 8\u20134 Diamondbacks lead into a 9\u20138 Athletics victory in 12 innings. (Note: While the run scored by Noda was earned for Kyle Nelson<\/a><\/strong>, who gave it up, it went down as a team unearned run due to Rule 9.16(i).)<\/em> Of particular frustration to the Diamondbacks was their lack of offensive output from the eighth inning onward. In extra innings, their only baserunners came either from the ghost runner or an intentional walk.<\/p>\n

Game Three saw Luis Frias<\/a><\/strong> cough up three runs, all earned, in the seventh inning after two walks and a home run. This blew the 3\u20130 lead he inherited from starter Ryne Nelson<\/a><\/strong>. No other Diamondbacks pitcher, however, gave up a run. Two ninth-inning runs gave the Diamondbacks a 5\u20133 lead, which Miguel Castro preserved with a 1\u20132\u20133 ninth.<\/p>\n

Diamondbacks and Pirates Storylines<\/h3>\n

With the Dodgers having won 15 of their past 19 games, the Diamondbacks could have lost far more than 3 1\/2 games of ground in the standings, but they didn’t. They cannot control what the Dodgers do. Therefore, taking care of their own business is their only course of action. They\u2019ve gone 11\u20137 over the same span. Since the Dodgers cannot stay this hot forever, winning every series should keep the Diamondbacks in good shape. In addition, given that Pirates relievers are lights out when protecting a close late-game lead, the Diamondbacks must get to the Pirates starters to have the best chance of winning.<\/p>\n

The Pirates began the season 20\u20138, the best record in the National League up to the end of play on April 29. Since then, they have lost 12 of 15, stumbling to second place in the NL Central. However, they are only a game behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers<\/a>. A series win here is important for them to either keep pace with or surpass the Brewers.<\/p>\n

Pitching Matchups between the Diamondbacks and Pirates<\/h3>\n

Game One \u2014 Friday, May 19, 6:35 pm Eastern\/3:35 pm Arizona Time<\/h4>\n

Game One is a matchup between Pirates righty Johan Oviedo<\/a><\/strong> (2\u20133, 5.14 ERA, 119 ERA-minus) and Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen<\/a><\/strong> (6\u20131, 2.35 ERA, 54 ERA-minus).<\/p>\n

In Oviedo\u2019s eight appearances, all starts with three quality starts, he has struck out 36, walked 20, and has a 1.643 WHIP across 42 innings. On average, he pitches 5 1\/3 innings per start and gets about six runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .282 against him, 31 points higher than the NL average of .251. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the NL average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/strong><\/td>\nK%<\/strong><\/td>\nBB%<\/strong><\/td>\nHR%<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oviedo<\/td>\n1.643<\/td>\n18.3%<\/td>\n10.2%<\/td>\n1.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.342<\/em><\/td>\n22.5%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In Gallen\u2019s NL-leading nine appearances, all starts with six quality starts, he has struck out 70, walked eight, and has an NL-leading 0.855 WHIP across 57 1\/3 innings. On average, he pitches 6 1\/3 innings per start and gets about four and a half runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .197 against him, 54 points lower than the NL average of .251. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the NL average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/strong><\/td>\nK%<\/strong><\/td>\nBB%<\/strong><\/td>\nHR%<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gallen<\/td>\n0.855<\/td>\n32.1%<\/td>\n3.7%<\/td>\n0.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.342<\/em><\/td>\n22.5%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Matchups with Current Rosters<\/h5>\n

Oviedo has only faced the Diamondbacks once, a start at Chase Field on May 28, 2021, while with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 4 1\/3 innings, he gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits while walking six and striking out three. He took a \u201cno decision\u201d in a game the Cardinals ultimately won.<\/p>\n

Only three members of the Diamondbacks\u2019 current roster have faced Oviedo in major league play. Pavin Smith<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-1 with a double and two walks. Josh Rojas<\/a><\/strong> is also 1-for-1 with two walks, but his hit was a single. Nick Ahmed<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-1 with a walk and a strikeout.<\/p>\n

Gallen has faced the Pirates twice in his career, both in 2022. Combined, he was 1\u20131. His win saw him scatter three hits across seven scoreless innings, walking two while striking out eight. The loss was a tough loss, meaning he took a loss while still producing a quality start. In six innings, he allowed two runs on five hits, walking three while striking out four and surrendering a solo home run.<\/p>\n

Eight Pirates on the active roster have faced Gallen. Connor Joe<\/a><\/strong>, the former Rockie, is 1-for-9 with four strikeouts. Bryan Reynolds<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-5 with a walk and three strikeouts. Tucupita Marcano<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-4 with two walks and three strikeouts. Austin Hedges<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 a former San Diego Padre \u2014 is 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Jack Suwinski<\/a><\/strong> is 2-for-3 with two doubles. The remaining Pirates who have faced Gallen are Carlos Santana<\/a><\/strong>, 1-for-3; Ke\u2019Bryan Hayes<\/a><\/strong>, 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout; and Jason Delay<\/a><\/strong>, 0-for-2 with a strikeout.<\/p>\n

Game Two \u2014 Saturday, May 20, 4:05 pm Eastern\/1:05 pm Arizona Time<\/h4>\n

Game Two features Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller<\/a><\/strong> (W\u2013L, 2.63 ERA, 55 ERA-minus) and Diamondbacks rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt<\/a><\/strong> (0\u20131, 8.59 ERA, 196 ERA-minus).<\/p>\n

Keller has not given up an earned run in either of his last two starts. Two starts ago, he threw a complete-game four-hit shutout against the Colorado Rockies<\/a>. He last gave one up three starts ago in the last inning of the appearance. This puts his scoreless streak at 16 innings. In his nine appearances, all starts with seven as a quality start, he has struck out 69, walked 14, and has a 1.024 WHIP across 56 2\/3 innings. On average, he pitches 6 1\/3 innings per start and gets about four runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .208 against him, 43 points lower than the NL average of .251. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the NL average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/strong><\/td>\nK%<\/strong><\/td>\nBB%<\/strong><\/td>\nHR%<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Keller<\/td>\n1.024<\/td>\n30.1%<\/td>\n6.1%<\/td>\n1.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.342<\/em><\/td>\n22.5%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In Pfaadt\u2019s three appearances, all starts with none as a quality start, he has struck out 11, walked six, and has a 1.568 WHIP across 14 2\/3 innings. On average, he pitches five innings per start and gets about four runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .293 against him, 42 points higher than the NL average of .251. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the NL average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/strong><\/td>\nK%<\/strong><\/td>\nBB%<\/strong><\/td>\nHR%<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pfaadt<\/td>\n1.568<\/td>\n16.9%<\/td>\n9.2%<\/td>\n10.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.342<\/em><\/td>\n22.5%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Matchups with Current Rosters<\/h5>\n

Keller has faced the Diamondbacks once in his career. That came in a start on August 10, 2022, at Chase Field. Keller went 5 1\/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, walking one and striking out three while earning the win.<\/p>\n

Five Diamondbacks on the active roster have faced Keller. Evan Longoria is 2-for-5 with a walk and a strikeout. Ketel Marte<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-3 with an RBI. Christian Walker<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-2 with an RBI, a strikeout, and a sacrifice fly. Geraldo Perdomo<\/a><\/strong> and Emmanuel Rivera<\/a><\/strong> are both 0-for-2 with a strikeout.<\/p>\n

Brandon Pfaadt has never faced the Pirates in his brief major league career, nor has he faced anyone on their active roster.<\/p>\n

(Author\u2019s Note: The only way Pfaadt could have faced anyone on their roster would have been if the Pirates had \u2014 within the last 16 days \u2014 traded for a position player on the Texas Rangers<\/a>, Miami Marlins<\/a>, or San Francisco Giants<\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Game Three \u2014 Sunday, May 21, 1:35 pm Eastern\/10:35 am Arizona Time<\/h4>\n

Game Three pits another pair of right-handers, Roansy Contreras<\/a><\/strong> (W\u2013L, 4.40 ERA, 102 ERA-minus) for the Pirates and Merrill Kelly (W\u2013L, 2.92 ERA, 67 ERA-minus) for the Diamondbacks.<\/p>\n

In Contreras\u2019 eight appearances, all starts with four as a quality start, he has struck out 32, walked 20, and has a 1.444 WHIP across 45 innings. On average, he pitches 5 2\/3 innings per start and gets about two and a half runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .265 against him, 14 points higher than the NL average of .251. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the NL average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/strong><\/td>\nK%<\/strong><\/td>\nBB%<\/strong><\/td>\nHR%<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contreras<\/td>\n1.444<\/td>\n16.6%<\/td>\n10.4%<\/td>\n2.1%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.342<\/em><\/td>\n22.5%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In Kelly\u2019s nine appearances, all starts with five as a quality start, he has struck out 55, walked 21, and has a 1.089 WHIP across 52 1\/3 innings. On average, he has pitched 5 2\/3 innings per start (although it\u2019s rising) and gets about three runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .197 against him, 54 points lower than the NL average of .251. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the NL average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/strong><\/td>\nK%<\/strong><\/td>\nBB%<\/strong><\/td>\nHR%<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kelly<\/td>\n1.089<\/td>\n26.6%<\/td>\n10.1%<\/td>\n2.4%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.342<\/em><\/td>\n22.5%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Matchups with Current Rosters<\/h5>\n

Contreras has faced the Diamondbacks once \u2014 June 4, 2022, in Pittsburgh. His start lasted 5 2\/3 innings, and he allowed one run (unearned) on four hits, walking two and striking out eight. He would have taken the loss if not for a two-run walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth by Jack Suwinski.<\/p>\n

Seven Diamondbacks on the active roster have faced Contreras. Ketel Marte is 2-for-3 with two doubles. Lourdes Gurriel Jr.<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-3 with a double. Josh Rojas is 0-for-3 with a strikeout, while both Pavin Smith and Christian Walker are 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. The other active Diamondbacks to face him are Geraldo Perdomo, 1-for-2 with a walk, and Jose Herrera<\/a><\/strong>, 0-for-2 with a strikeout.<\/p>\n

Kelly has faced the Pirates three times in his career. All were starts. He is 2\u20130, having allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 15 hits (two homers), walking nine while striking out 13.<\/p>\n

Seven Pirates on the active roster have faced Kelly. Austin Hedges is 0-for-10 with a strikeout. Connor Joe is 2-for-6 with a walk. Ke\u2019Bryan Hayes 3-for-6 with a double and a strikeout. Bryan Reynolds is 0-for-6 with two strikeouts. Tucupita Marcano is 0-for-4 with an RBI and a strikeout. Two others have faced Kelly as well \u2014 Rodolfo Castro<\/a><\/strong>, 1-for-3, and Jack Suwinski, 2-for-2 with an RBI.<\/p>\n

Reliever Comparisons<\/h3>\n

Pirates<\/h4>\n

The Pirates have eight relievers currently active. All pitchers are right-handed unless followed by (L). For reference, the NL average save percentage is 63%, and the inherited runners scored percentage is 31%.<\/p>\n

Long relief<\/h5>\n