D-backs Starting Lineup & Game Preview: An Interesting Twist as Diamondbacks Look For Series Win
If you saw last night’s game against the Cubs — or read our recap — then you know what a difference Jake Lamb made. He drove in all three runs for the Diamondbacks with two doubles. It was a great effort by the young star. So naturally you’d expect to see him back in the lineup, right? Well, he is back today and he’s batting seventh in the order. Which is an interesting twist to say the least.
The move seemingly leaves Lamb exposed in the batting order, where he’s preceded by Brandon Drury and followed by Jeff Mathis. Of course, Mathis is riding a 15-game on-base streak — including an 9-game hitting streak — dating back to June 22. Drury has been struggling lately, hitting just .195 since the break. For Lamb, he’s hit 7th in the order six times this season and has a .158 batting average from that spot.
At the top of the D-backs order today is Gregor Blanco leading off followed by Adam Rosales hitting second and playing shortstop. Rosales had two hits in his debut on Tuesday for the D-backs. Following Rosales in the order is A.J. Pollock, Paul Goldschmidt and J.D. Martinez.
Zack Greinke takes the hill for the D-backs in this matinee game. He’s been dominant in his last two outings, giving up three runs and nine hits over 15 innings pitched. Over his career at Wrigley Field, Greinke has struggled with an 8.10 ERA over four games. That may present a mental hurdle for him in this one, but if he can come out strong in the first couple innings today he may well make it three dominant outings in a row.
Today’s #Dbacks lineup. #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/LOAklWTV5b
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 3, 2017
