{"id":5765,"date":"2023-06-06T14:34:02","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T21:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=5765"},"modified":"2023-06-06T14:34:02","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T21:34:02","slug":"diamondbacks-report-braves-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/06\/06\/diamondbacks-report-braves-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamondbacks Report: One of Three from Braves; Three with Nationals Next"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diamondbacks Report: One of Three from Braves, Nationals Next<\/h2>\n

The Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> (35\u201325), after losing two of three to the Atlanta Braves<\/a> (35\u201324), remain tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> for the best record in the NL West and trail the Braves by half a game for the NL\u2019s best record. They will play the first three games of their six-game road trip Tuesday through Thursday against the rebuilding Washington Nationals<\/a> (25\u201334), who occupy the NL East basement. This edition of Diamondbacks Report will briefly review the Braves series before previewing the key details of the three games with the Nationals.<\/p>\n

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

Game One<\/a> was a dogfight between the two starting pitchers, Merrill Kelly<\/a><\/strong> and Charlie Morton<\/a><\/strong>. Kelly prevailed, aided by a two-run double from Lourdes Gurriel Jr.<\/a><\/strong> and an RBI single by Christian Walker<\/a><\/strong>. Eddie Rosario<\/a><\/strong> hit two solo home runs for the Braves in defeat. Austin Adams<\/a><\/strong> and Miguel Castro<\/a><\/strong> pitched a scoreless eight and ninth, respectively, to close out the 3\u20132 victory.<\/p>\n

The big talk of Game Two<\/a> was Ronald Acuna Jr.<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s tape-measure home run to left-center, the longest home run at Chase Field in recent memory. Spencer Strider<\/a><\/strong> had an effective start for the Braves, holding the Diamondbacks to two runs. They missed a golden opportunity to get back in the game when they loaded the bases against Strider and reliever Jesse Chavez<\/a><\/strong> in the bottom of the seventh. A bases loaded hit-by-pitch suffered by Geraldo Perdomo<\/a><\/strong> brought in a run, but two straight called strikeouts by Pavin Smith<\/a><\/strong> and Ketel Marte<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 who chased a 3\u20131 pitch in the dirt \u2014 squandered the chance to make it a closer game. Nick Anderson<\/a><\/strong> and Raisel Iglesias<\/a><\/strong> blanked the Diamondbacks in the eighth and ninth, respectively, to seal the 5\u20132 Braves victory.<\/p>\n

Zac Gallen<\/a><\/strong> left Game Three<\/a> with a 5\u20132 lead after six, but a run off Andrew Chafin<\/a><\/strong> in the seventh made it 5\u20133. Scott McGough<\/a><\/strong> pitched a scoreless eighth, but Miguel Castro \u2014 so effective in recent days \u2014 had a nightmarish top of the ninth. Despite his struggles, he got to within an out of a nerve-wracking victory, but an Eddie Rosario grand slam and scoreless ninth from Iglesias gave the Braves a dramatic 8\u20135 win.<\/p>\n

Diamondbacks and Nationals Storylines<\/h3>\n

The Diamondbacks have won 15 of their last 22 despite having lost two in a row. They have a great opportunity to start another successful run, as their next 13 games are all against teams that are below .500. In addition, they have been tied for first since Thursday, matching the Dodgers with every win and loss over the weekend. This is a favorable matchup for the Diamondbacks, who took two of three from the Nationals when they met in early May.<\/p>\n

The Nationals have lost 11 of their last 18 and are ten games out of first, the most of any NL team. They are in a full rebuild, looking for process more than product. A series win here would be a tremendous boost in the development of their young talent.<\/p>\n

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

Game One \u2014 Tuesday, June 6, 4:05 pm Arizona Time<\/h4>\n

Game One is a matchup between Nationals right-hander Jake Irvin<\/a><\/strong> (1\u20133, 5.67 ERA, 130 ERA-minus) and Diamondbacks left-hander Tommy Henry<\/a><\/strong> (3\u20131, 3.73 ERA, 85 ERA-minus).<\/p>\n

In Irvin\u2019s six appearances, all starts with one as a quality start, he has struck out 22, walked 17, and has a 1.630 WHIP across 27 innings. On average, he pitches 4 2\/3 innings per start and gets about 3.1 runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .262 against him, 11 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<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Irvin<\/td>\n1.630<\/td>\n17.7%<\/td>\n13.7%<\/td>\n3.2%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.331<\/em><\/td>\n22.4%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

In Henry\u2019s eight appearances, seven starts with three as a quality start, he has struck out 25, walked 16, and has a 1.244 WHIP across 41 innings. On average, he pitches 5 2\/3 innings per start and gets about 6.8 runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .233 against him, 18 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<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Henry<\/td>\n1.244<\/td>\n15.0%<\/td>\n9.6%<\/td>\n3.6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.331<\/em><\/td>\n22.4%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matchups with Current Rosters<\/h5>\n

Irvin, a rookie, has never faced the Diamondbacks or anyone on their active roster.<\/p>\n

Henry has faced the Nationals once \u2014 May 6, in Phoenix, a \u201cno decision\u201d where he allowed two runs on six hits, walking two and striking out three across six innings. The Diamondbacks ultimately won that game, 8\u20137, on a walk-off bases-loaded walk by Pavin Smith to score Christian Walker.<\/p>\n

Nine Nationals on the active roster have faced Henry. Michael Chavis<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-5 with a homer, an RBI, and a strikeout. Luis Garcia<\/a><\/strong> is 2-for-3. Keibert Ruiz<\/a><\/strong>, Joey Meneses<\/a><\/strong>, and Stone Garrett<\/a><\/strong> are each 1-for-3, Meneses with a strikeout and Ruiz with a double and two RBI. Dominic Smith<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-3, and Lane Thomas<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-2 with a walk. Ildemaro Vargas<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-2, while Alex Call<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-1 with a strikeout.<\/p>\n

Game Two \u2014 Wednesday, June 7, 4:05 pm Arizona Time<\/h4>\n

Game Two features Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin<\/a><\/strong> (4\u20135, 4.92 ERA, 113 ERA-minus) and Diamondbacks righty Zach Davies<\/a><\/strong> (0\u20131, 5.40 ERA, 124 ERA-minus).<\/p>\n

In Corbin\u2019s 12 appearances, all starts with six as a quality start, he has struck out 42, walked 18, and has a 1.478 WHIP across 67 2\/3 innings. On average, he pitches around 5 2\/3 innings per start and gets about 5.3 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<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Corbin<\/td>\n1.478<\/td>\n14.0%<\/td>\n6.0%<\/td>\n3.7%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.331<\/em><\/td>\n22.4%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

In Davies\u2019 four appearances, all starts with no quality starts, he has struck out 14, walked nine, and has a 1.636 WHIP across 18 1\/3 innings. On average, he pitches 4 2\/3 innings per start and gets about 4.2 runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .292 against him, 41 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<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Davies<\/td>\n1.636<\/td>\n17.1%<\/td>\n11.0%<\/td>\n2.4%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.331<\/em><\/td>\n22.4%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matchups with Current Rosters<\/h5>\n

Patrick Corbin has faced the Diamondbacks three times in his career \u2014 all starts \u2014 and none of them went well, as he is 0\u20132. In 12 1\/3 innings, he allowed 20 runs (19 earned) on 21 hits \u2014 including five homers \u2014 with eight walks, two hit batsmen, and 13 strikeouts for a 2.351 WHIP.<\/p>\n

Seven active Diamondbacks have faced Corbin. Evan Longoria<\/a><\/strong> is 3-for-13 with a double and a walk. Ketel Marte<\/strong><\/a> is 3-for-6 with two homers and four RBI. Christian Walker is 2-for-5 with a walk and a strikeout. Ahmed is 1-for-3 with a double, three RBI, and two walks. Jake McCarthy<\/a><\/strong> has struck out all three times he\u2019s faced Corbin. Geraldo Perdomo is 1-for-2, while Pavin Smith has walked both times he\u2019s faced Corbin, one coming with the bases loaded for an easy RBI.<\/p>\n

Zach Davies has faced the Nationals six times, all starts, and has a 4\u20130 record with a 2.97 ERA. In 36 1\/3 innings, he has allowed 12 runs on 34 hits \u2014 including two homers \u2014 with ten walks, two hit batsmen, and 31 strikeouts for a 1.211 WHIP.<\/p>\n

Nine active Nationals have faced Davies. Corey Dickerson<\/a><\/strong> is probably running the team meeting, as he has faced Davies 16 times \u2014 four times higher than any of his teammates. Dickerson is 4-for-15 with a double, a walk, and three strikeouts. Both CJ Abrams<\/a><\/strong> and Jeimer Candelario<\/a><\/strong> are 0-for-4, Candelario with a strikeout. Michael Chavis and Ildemaro Vargas are both 1-for-3, Chavis with a strikeout and Vargas with a triple and two RBI. Keibert Ruiz is 1-for-2. Dominic Smith is 0-for-2, while Lane Thomas is 0-for-1 with a walk.<\/p>\n

Game Three \u2014 Thursday, June 8, 10:05 am Arizona Time<\/h4>\n

Game Three pits righties Josiah Gray<\/a><\/strong> (4\u20135, 3.09 ERA, 71 ERA-minus) of the Nationals and Merrill Kelly (7\u20133, 2.80 ERA, 64 ERA-minus) of the Diamondbacks.<\/p>\n

In Gray\u2019s 12 appearances, all starts with five as a quality start, he has struck out 55, walked 33, and has a 1.418 WHIP across 67 innings. On average, he pitches 5 2\/3 innings per start and gets about 4.9 runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .245 against him, six 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<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gray<\/td>\n1.418<\/td>\n19.0%<\/td>\n11.4%<\/td>\n2.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.331<\/em><\/td>\n22.4%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

In Kelly\u2019s 12 appearances, all starts with seven as a quality start, he has struck out 77, walked 28, and has a 1.075 WHIP across 70 2\/3 innings. On average, he pitches a shade under six innings per start and gets about 3.4 runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .194 against him, 57 points lower than the league 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<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kelly<\/td>\n1.075<\/td>\n27.6%<\/td>\n10.0%<\/td>\n2.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.331<\/em><\/td>\n22.4%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matchups with Current Rosters<\/h5>\n

Josiah Gray has two appearances, both starts, against the Diamondbacks and is 1\u20131. Across 10 1\/3 innings, he has allowed four runs on 10 hits \u2014 including two homers \u2014 with four walks and 14 strikeouts for a 1.355 WHIP.<\/p>\n

Ten active Diamondbacks have faced Gray. Ketel Marte is 0-for-4 with a walk, a strikeout, and an RBI from a sacrifice fly. Geraldo Perdomo is 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. Christian Walker is 2-for-3 with a double. Corbin Carroll<\/a><\/strong>, Lourdes Gurriel Jr.<\/a><\/strong>, and Pavin Smith are all 1-for-3, Smith with a strikeout and Carroll with a homer and an RBI.<\/p>\n

Merill Kelly is a perfect 3\u20130 in his appearances (all starts) against the Nationals. He has allowed eight runs on 19 hits \u2014 including three homers \u2014 with three walks and 20 strikeouts for a 1.158 WHIP.<\/p>\n

Ten active Nationals have faced Kelly. Corey Dickerson is 2-for-9 with a strikeout. Dominic Smith is 1-for-8 with a double, a walk, and two strikeouts. Jeimer Candelario is 3-for-6 with a strikeout. Keibert Ruiz is 2-for-6 with a double, an RBI, and three strikeouts. CJ Abrams is 1-for-6 with a strikeout. Luis Garcia is 2-for-3 with a homer and an RBI. Lane Thomas is 1-for-3 with a strikeout. Alex Call and Joey Meneses are 0-for-3, Call with one strikeout and Meneses with two. Michael Chavis is 0-for-2 with a walk. Josh Rojas<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-3 with an RBI and two strikeouts. Gabriel Moreno<\/a><\/strong> is 2-for-2. Jake McCarthy is 1-for-2, while Jose Herrera<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-2.<\/p>\n

Reliever Comparisons<\/h3>\n

Nationals<\/h4>\n

The Nationals have eight relievers currently active. Of note \u2014 all are right-handed.<\/p>\n

Long relief<\/h5>\n