D-backs Starting Lineup: Walker Pitching as D-backs Look to Start Anew

Jon Strong August 21, 2017

If the Diamondbacks are going to right the ship, it’s going to have to happen soon. Putting together a solid series on their trip to New York to play the Mets for four games this week will be a big first step in that direction.

Taijuan Walker takes the hill tonight for the D-backs in New York. After a solid start to the season he’s had a rocky last two starts. He’s given up five runs in both outings and didn’t make it past the 5th inning either time. He’s had at least one home run hit against him in each of his last seven games. The Mets are third in the league in home runs (184) so it will be vital for Walker to stay in command of his pitches and off the middle of the plate tonight.

Backing Walker is a crew we’re getting used to seeing. David Peralta bats leadoff and is playing left field. He’s followed by A.J. Pollock, Jake Lamb, Paul Goldschmidt, and J.D. Martinez. Speaking of Martinez, he hit a home run on Sunday but is batting just .238 in the month of August. That’s his lowest monthly batting average in 2017 but he still has time to get it back up near his season average of .281.

Daniel Descalso will hit sixth in the order and play second base. Ketel Marte is back in the lineup batting seventh and manning short. He’s been on fire this season and is slashing a robust .277/.354/.464 in 39 games for the D-backs. Jeff Mathis is catching and batting eighth in the order.