Diamondbacks vs. Astros – Series Preview (Aug 14-17): Pitching Matchups, Insights, TV/Game Info
We all need to be just a little better, right?
The Arizona Diamondbacks open up a home and away four-game series against the Houston Astros tonight. The first two games will be at Chase Field with the following two games played in Houston at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros come limping into this series, much like the Diamondbacks. They lost their All-Star shortstop, Carlos Correa, on July 17th with a torn ligament in his left thumb. Since losing Correa, the Astros have gone 10-15 after starting the season 72-45. They’re 3-9 in August and that includes having lost five of their last six games.
The D-backs have been struggling since being swept by the Dodgers back in early July. In fact, both them and the Astros are 12-16 since the All-Star break. Likely not something either side is thrilled about and you can bet both sides are hoping to use this series to help them get right.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Monday, August 14 at 6:40 pm MT on FS-AZ, 98.7 FM
- Tuesday, August 15 at 12:40 pm MT on FS-AZ, MLB Network (out-of-market), 620 AM
- Wednesday, August 16 at 5:10 pm MT on FS-AZ, 620 AM
- Thursday, August 17 at 11:10 pm MT on FS-AZ, MLB Network (out-of-market), 620 AM
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | W/L | ERA | FIP |
| 8/14 | Zack Greinke | 33 | R | 13-5 | 3.14 | 3.29 |
| Colin McHugh | 30 | R | 0-1 | 5.32 | 4.73 | |
| 8/15 | Anthony Banda | 24 | L | 1-2 | 4.60 | 3.26 |
| Brad Peacock | 29 | R | 10-1 | 3.07 | 2.90 | |
| 8/16 | Taijuan Walker | 25 | R | 6-6 | 3.76 | 4.14 |
| Charlie Morton | 33 | R | 9-5 | 3.83 | 3.77 | |
| 8/17 | Patrick Corbin | 28 | L | 9-11 | 4.52 | 4.22 |
| Mike Fiers | 32 | R | 7-7 | 4.36 | 5.52 |
What To Watch For
- The Astros are rolling out four right-handed pitchers in this series. The D-backs hit nearly 30 points higher against righties than they do against lefties. In fact, they have a higher on-base percentage, higher slugging percentage, walk more and strike out less. All good signs for the D-backs to have a possible breakout series.
- Patrick Corbin has been two different pitchers this season. At home he has a stellar 2.87 ERA while away from Chase Field he’s carrying a 6.79 ERA. It’s confounding to say the least but something to keep an eye on as he starts the final game of this series at Minute Maid Park. If he doesn’t fair well in that game it’s possible he’s the odd man out when Robbie Ray returns from the DL.
- The Diamondbacks have had a rough go of it since getting derailed by the Dodgers in early July. And it’s not necessarily one big thing that stands out as the problem. Honestly, it’s almost like it’s something different that goes wrong in every game they lose. Hopefully that means that everything is about to go right all at once.
