D-backs Starting Lineup & Game Preview: Greinke Pitching, Lamb Hitting 7th, Rosales Batting 2nd
Last night’s game provided ample fireworks for Diamondbacks fans, as the team scored all of their runs on home runs. Chris Iannetta and Jake Lamb combined for three long-balls in the D-backs 6-3 victory over the Dodgers. The Dodgers also had two home runs in the game, leading to five total homers. Don’t expect the same tonight.
With Zack Greinke (13-4, 3.10 ERA) pitching for the D-backs, and Alex Wood (13-1, 2.33) on the hill for the Dodgers, expectations should be tempered accordingly. At least that’s what you would think given the talent of both pitchers. A closer look may have you thinking otherwise, if history is any indication of future performance, that is.
Greinke has had some difficulty with the Dodgers lineup in the past. As a team, the Dodgers are hitting .308/.360/.626 with six home runs in 96 at-bats. Not surprisingly, Corey Seager leads the way with a slash-line of .667/.769/1.444 including two home runs. If there’s any take away here it’s that regression should set in soon. Like, maybe tonight.
Greinke’s counterpart, Wood, has had more success against the Arizona lineup. They’ve hit .233/.282/.408 with five home runs over 103 ABs. Paul Goldschmidt, who’s batting fourth in the order tonight, is slashing .294/.429/.647 with two homers against Wood. A.J. Pollock, who’s batting third tonight, is hitting .462/.462/1.000 with two home runs.
After a huge night last night batting third in the order, Lamb has been scuttled down to the seventh spot tonight. An interesting move by Torey Lovullo that almost certainly has to do with Jake’s .222 batting average against Wood, not to mention the lefty-on-lefty matchup. Although, looking a little deeper we see that Wood is less effective this season against left-handed batters, who are hitting .232 and slugging .333, compared to righties, who are hitting .184 and slugging .259 against him.
David Peralta will play left field and bats leadoff tonight. Jeff Mathis is catching and hitting in the eighth spot in the order.
Tonight’s #Dbacks lineup. #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/6d7lPgNsio
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 9, 2017
