{"id":6069,"date":"2023-06-16T20:08:55","date_gmt":"2023-06-17T03:08:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=6069"},"modified":"2023-06-17T13:47:45","modified_gmt":"2023-06-17T20:47:45","slug":"diamondbacks-report-phillies-guardians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/06\/16\/diamondbacks-report-phillies-guardians\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamondbacks Report: Drop Three of Four to Phillies; Three with Guardians Next"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diamondbacks Report: One from Phillies, Guardians Next<\/h2>\n

PHOENIX, June 16 \u2014 The Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> (41\u201328), after losing two one-run games and three total of four against the Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> (35\u201334), hold a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> (39\u201330) for the NL West lead and trail the Atlanta Braves<\/a> (43\u201326) by two games for the NL\u2019s best record. They conclude their seven-game homestand with a three-game Father\u2019s Day weekend interleague series against the Cleveland Guardians<\/a> (32\u201336), who are second in the AL Central. This edition of Diamondbacks Report will briefly review the Phillies series before previewing the key details of the three games with the Guardians.<\/p>\n

June 17: Updated to indicate the starting pitcher for the Guardians on Sunday.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Game One saw the Diamondbacks rally from a 5\u20131 deficit to take a 9\u20135 lead. The Phillies also staged a valiant comeback, but the Diamondbacks hung on for a thrilling 9\u20138 victory. During the game, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo<\/a><\/strong> was ejected after he came on the field in defense of Corbin Carroll<\/a><\/strong>, who was hit by pitches in consecutive at-bats. A few minutes later, Josh Rojas<\/a><\/strong> was ejected from the dugout.<\/p>\n

In Game Two, the Phillies scored four runs in the first inning off Zach Davies<\/a><\/strong> and never looked back en route to a 15\u20133 blowout victory.<\/p>\n

The Diamondbacks rallied in Game Three, tying the game on a three-run Christian Walker<\/a><\/strong> homer in the bottom of the eight. But they ultimately succumbed to the Phillies in the tenth inning, 4\u20133, with a collision on a fly ball leading to their demise. Adding to the frustration was the fact that the Diamondbacks left runners in scoring position in each of the final three innings.<\/p>\n

Another early hole came in the fourth game, as the Phillies held a 3\u20130 advantage heading into the bottom of the third. A leadoff double in the bottom of the third by Jake McCarthy<\/a><\/strong>, followed by a Gabriel Moreno<\/a><\/strong> single, slashed the deficit to 3\u20131. Later in the inning, a three-run bomb by Ketel Marte<\/a><\/strong> gave the Diamondbacks a 4\u20133 lead. That dissolved in the very next half-inning, as the Phillies put up a two-spot after a walk, a double, and two singles. Neither team scored again the rest of the game, as the Phillies eked out a 5\u20134 win.<\/p>\n

Diamondbacks and Guardians Storylines<\/h3>\n

The Diamondbacks took one on the chin in the Phillies series, suffering a blowout and two one-run losses. With the Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants<\/a> playing each other this weekend, the Diamondbacks have a chance to widen the division lead again. However, despite the Guardians being four games under .500, the Diamondbacks cannot take them too lightly. In addition, with the trade rumors surrounding the Diamondbacks and Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber<\/a><\/strong>, this could be a preview of sorts for Diamondbacks fans.<\/p>\n

The Guardians, by being in the weak AL Central, are only two and a half games despite their record. Winning this series would get them closer to a winning record and will also get them closer to first place.<\/p>\n

In addition to the gameplay storylines, Lovullo\u2019s last major league manager was current Guardians manager Terry Francona<\/a><\/strong>, who managed Lovullo on the 1999 Phillies.<\/p>\n

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

Game One \u2014 Friday, June 16, 6:40 pm Arizona Time<\/h4>\n

Game One was going to be a matchup between Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie<\/a><\/strong> (0\u20131, 4.50 ERA, 107 ERA-minus) and Diamondbacks ace right-hander Zac Gallen<\/a><\/strong> (7\u20132, 3.09 ERA, 70 ERA-minus). Interestingly, in both Gallen\u2019s previous appearance against the Guardians and McKenzie\u2019s previous appearance against the Diamondbacks, they faced each other.<\/p>\n

However, McKenzie was a late scratch due to discomfort in his right elbow, and he has been replaced by Touki Toussant in a spot-start. Toussant has not made any major league appearances in 2023.<\/p>\n

In Gallen\u2019s 14 appearances, all starts with eight as a quality start, he has struck out 93, walked 19, and has a 1.150 WHIP across 84 1\/3 innings. On average, he pitches six innings per start and gets about five runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .242 against him, 10 points lower than the NL average of .252. 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
Gallen<\/td>\n1.150<\/td>\n27.0%<\/td>\n5.5%<\/td>\n1.2%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.344<\/em><\/td>\n22.4%<\/em><\/td>\n8.8%<\/em><\/td>\n3.1%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Matchups with Current Rosters<\/h5>\n

The previous appearance against the Diamondbacks by McKenzie, the original starter, was also his only. The same is true of Gallen and the Guardians. In that August 2, 2022 game, McKenzie lasted six innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits, including a homer, while walking two and striking out seven. He took the loss, as Gallen surrendered three runs on six hits, walking three and hitting one while striking out five across 5 2\/3 innings. He missed a quality start by one out but, more importantly, still earned the win in a 6\u20133 affair.<\/p>\n

Toussaint has faced the Diamondbacks once in his career, a 2018 start while with the Atlanta Braves<\/a>. In that game, where he had no decision, he allowed two runs on two hits, walking five and striking out five in 5 2\/3 innings. Only three Diamondbacks on the active roster have ever faced Toussaint. Lourdes Gurriel Jr.<\/a><\/strong> is 2-for-3 with a double and a strikeout. Nick Ahmed<\/a><\/strong> has no official at-bats, walking twice. Longoria also has no official at-bats, walking once.<\/p>\n

Seven Guardians on the active roster have faced Gallen. Josh Naylor<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-8 with two strikeouts. Amed Rosario<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-7 with a walk and a strikeout. Josh Bell<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-5 with two strikeouts. Jose Ramirez<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-3 with an RBI. Steven Kwan<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-2 with a double and a walk. Andres Gimenez<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-1 with two walks, while Myles Straw<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-2 with a strikeout.<\/p>\n

Game Two \u2014 Saturday, June 17, 7:10 pm Arizona Time<\/h4>\n

Game Two features Guardians righty Shane Bieber (5\u20133, 3.29 ERA, 78 ERA-minus) and rookie Diamondbacks lefty Tommy Henry<\/a><\/strong> (3\u20131, 4.86 ERA, 110 ERA-minus). Like McKenzie and Gallen, Bieber\u2019s lone appearance against the Diamondbacks came in 2022 against Henry, who was also making his lone appearance against the Guardians. In addition, that game was Henry\u2019s major-league debut.<\/p>\n

Bieber\u2019s bag of tricks contains four pitches \u2014 four-seamer, slider, cutter, and curveball. In 2023, he has thrown the four-seamer 33% of the time, the slider 29%, the cutter 23%, and the curveball 11%. Henry also features four pitches \u2014 a four-seamer, a changeup, a curveball, and a slider. He has thrown the four-seamer 51% of the time, along with 21% for the changeup, 19% for the curveball, and 8% for the slider.<\/p>\n

In Bieber\u2019s 14 appearances, all starts with 10 as a quality start, he has struck out 64, walked 23, and has a 1.221 WHIP across 87 2\/3 innings. On average, he pitches 6 1\/3 innings per start and gets about 3.7 runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .251 against him, eight points higher than the AL average of .243. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the AL average.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bieber<\/td>\n1.221<\/td>\n17.6%<\/td>\n6.3%<\/td>\n2.2%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.291<\/em><\/td>\n23.0%<\/em><\/td>\n8.6%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Henry<\/h5>\n

In Henry\u2019s 10 appearances, nine starts with three as a quality start, he has struck out 33, walked 20, and has a 1.380 WHIP across 50 innings. On average, he pitches slightly more than 5 1\/3 innings per start and gets about 7.5 runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .258 against him, six points higher than the NL average of .252. 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>\n1.380<\/td>\n15.6%<\/td>\n9.4%<\/td>\n4.3%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.344<\/em><\/td>\n22.4%<\/em><\/td>\n8.8%<\/em><\/td>\n3.1%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matchups with Current Rosters<\/h5>\n

In the Bieber\u2013Henry showdown on August 3, 2022, Bieber gave up two runs on four hits, including a homer, while walking none and striking out eight across six innings. Henry allowed four runs on four hits, walking three and hitting one while striking out three across five innings. Bieber earned the win and Henry the loss in a game the Guardians won, 7\u20134.<\/p>\n

Seven active Diamondbacks have faced Bieber. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is 4-for-10 with a double, a walk, a strikeout, and a hit-by-pitch. Ketel Marte, Josh Rojas, and Christian Walker are all 0-for-3, Marte with two strikeouts and Walker with one. Jake McCarthy is 1-for-2, while Geraldo Perdomo<\/a><\/strong> and Emmanuel Rivera<\/a><\/strong> are both 0-for-2.<\/p>\n

There are also seven Guardians on the active roster who have faced Henry. Amed Rosario is 1-for-3 with a three-run homer and a strikeout. Steven Kwan is also 1-for-3. Josh Bell is 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI. Jose Ramirez is 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. Myles Straw, Tyler Freeman<\/a><\/strong>, and Andres Gimenez are all 0-for-1, Straw with an RBI and a sacrifice fly, Freeman with a walk, and Gimenez with a hit-by-pitch.<\/p>\n

Game Three \u2014 Father\u2019s Day, Sunday, June 18, 1:10 pm<\/h4>\n

Game Three will have Guardians rookie right-hander Tanner Bibee<\/strong><\/a> (2\u20132, 3.91 ERA, 93 ERA-minus) square off against Diamondbacks righty Zach Davies (1\u20132, 5.46 ERA, 123 ERA-minus).<\/p>\n

Bibee has four pitches on the menu \u2014 four-seamer, slider, changeup, and curveball. In 2023, he has thrown the four-seamer 48% of the time, the slider 29%, the changeup 16%, and the curveball 7%. Davies has six pitches in his repertoire \u2014 a four-seamer, a cutter, a sinker, a changeup, a slider, and a curveball. He uses the sinker 39% of the time, along with 28% for the changeup, 14% for the cutter, 12% for the four-seamer, 7% for the curveball, and under 1 % for the slider.<\/p>\n

In Bibee\u2019s nine appearances, all starts with three as a quality start, he has struck out 45, walked 14, and has a 1.241 WHIP across 48 1\/3 innings. On average, he pitches 5 1\/3 innings per start and gets about 2.6 runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .250 against him, seven points higher than the AL average of .243. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the AL average.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bibee<\/td>\n1.241<\/td>\n22.2%<\/td>\n6.9%<\/td>\n2.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.291<\/em><\/td>\n23.0%<\/em><\/td>\n8.6%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Davies<\/h5>\n

In Davies\u2019 six appearances, all starts with one as a quality start, he has struck out 26, walked 13, and has a 1.607 WHIP across 28 innings. On average, he pitches slightly more than 4 2\/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 .283 against him, 31 points higher than the NL average of .252. 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>\n1.607<\/td>\n20.5%<\/td>\n10.2%<\/td>\n2.4%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.344<\/em><\/td>\n22.4%<\/em><\/td>\n8.8%<\/em><\/td>\n3.1%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matchups with Current Rosters<\/h5>\n

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

Davies has faced the Guardians twice, once in 2021 with the Chicago Cubs and once in 2022 with the Diamondbacks. He started both games but took no decision in either one. He has allowed five runs on nine hits, including two homers, walking four and striking out five across 7 1\/3 innings.<\/p>\n

Reader, take a wild guess how many Guardians on the active roster have faced Davies. Yep! You guessed it. Seven. Josh Bell is 2-for-20 with a double, two RBI, four walks, six strikeouts, and a sacrifice fly. Amed Rosario is 8-for-12 with two doubles, a homer, and three RBI. Josh Naylor is 1-for-5 with a strikeout. Jose Ramirez is 0-for-4. Andres Gimenez is 1-for-3 with a strikeout. Steven Kwan is 0-for-1 with a walk, and Myles Straw is 0-for-1.<\/p>\n

Reliever Comparisons<\/h3>\n

Guardians<\/h4>\n

The Guardians have seven relievers currently active, due to the pregame spot-start roster move. Among these relievers is closer Emmanuel Clase<\/a><\/strong>, one of the elite closers in all of baseball over the past few seasons. (Diamondbacks fans, before you get any bright ideas, no, he will not be available at the trade deadline.)<\/p>\n

All pitchers are right-handed unless followed by (L). For reference, the league-wide AL save percentage is 60%.<\/p>\n

Long relief<\/h5>\n