Anthony Banda to Start Against Dodgers on Thursday
If you read our Dodgers series preview today you probably noticed that there was a “TBD” slotted in as the Diamondbacks pitching probable for the Thursday game against the Dodgers. Sure enough, as soon as I clicked “publish” Torey Lovullo announced that LHP Anthony Banda will start in that game.
Torey Lovullo announces lefty Anthony Banda will start for the #Dbacks on Thursday.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 8, 2017
This is great news for Banda, who notched his first major-league win this past Friday after being recalled to pitch for Robbie Ray, who is on the 7-day concussion disabled list. In that game, Banda gave up only one run on six hits and four walks, while striking out seven batters. It was an outstanding effort for Banda, particularly given that it was only his second big-league start.
As a reward for that stellar outing, Banda now gets to face the hottest team on the planet, the Los Angeles Dodgers. He’ll be up against Yu Darvish, who the Dodgers acquired from the Texas Rangers just before the trade deadline this season.
Banda looked dominant at times against the Giants and hopefully he comes with that same level of intensity against the Dodgers. If he does, he may leave Lovullo with a difficult decision, which, given Patrick Corbin’s performances lately, may not be that bad of a thing.
