The Arizona Diamondbacks have been one of the pleasant surprises in the major leagues, hanging right with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the upstart Colorado Rockies in the National League West. While most were expecting another middling year from Arizona, the team seems like a playoff contender and will aim to stay hot in a road series against the Miami Marlins.
Like the D-Backs, Miami has some good young pieces but the pitching has been poor and the offense has not been able to pick up the slack. The Marlins have won four in a row entering this series but still sit at just 21-30 overall and will need to get a lot hotter in order to have a legitimate shot at the postseason.
This series will be contested from Thursday, June 1 through Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. Saturday’s matchup will be broadcast on MLB Network.
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Pitching Matchups
On Thursday, the Marlins are scheduled to send Jeff Locke to the hill. He has a 4.41 ERA in his career but hasn’t been in the big leagues this season and would take the place of the injured Vance Worley. He will need to be good, as Zack Greinke is scheduled to start for the Diamondbacks. He has been in vintage form this season, with a 6-3 record and a 3.24 ERA.
Miami is expected to start Jose Urena on Friday. He is 3-2 with a 3.14 ERA this season but the peripheral stats are underwhelming. Arizona is scheduled to send Patrick Corbin to the hill. He is 4-5 with a 5.14 ERA after getting rocked last time out and hopes to turn it around.
On Saturday, the Marlins’ starter is going to be Edinson Volquez. He is 1-7 with a 4.44 ERA but is a solid veteran who hopes to put up a nice performance. The Diamondbacks will likely throw Randall Delgado, who only gave up one run in 5.2 innings last time out as a rotational fill-in.
The Marlins have yet to name a starter for Sunday’s series finale. The Diamondbacks are expected to send Taijuan Walker to the hill. He is coming off the disabled list but has been good this year with a 4-3 record and a 3.46 ERA.
Player to Watch
Paul Goldschmidt -- The Diamondbacks’ first baseman continues to carry the lineup this season. He is batting .303 with an on-base percentage of .429. He hit a solo home run in Arizona’s 6-5 win over Pittsburgh on Wednesday, accounting for his 12th home run of the season. He also has 39 RBIs this year.
Marlins Park is pitcher-friendly with big outfield dimensions but Goldschmidt has the type of power and skill to hit well despite the disadvantage. He has also been contributing on the base paths this year as he has 12 stolen bases, a big number for a power hitter.
Goldschmidt is a phenomenal all-around player and could be a difference-maker in this series.
Injury Report
Giancarlo Stanton -- The Marlins right fielder missed Wednesday’s game against Philadelphia with a hamstring injury. The injury is said to be mild and Miami reportedly held Stanton out as a precaution.
Stanton is playing really well right now with 15 hits in his last ten games. He is batting .284 on the season and finished at .299 for the month of May.
Stanton has 14 home runs and 37 RBIs so far despite playing in a park that hurts offensive statistics. With those numbers, Miami will be looking to get him back in the lineup as quick as possible. Stanton is a massive slugger and the Marlins need him in this series. He should be OK, but check on his availability before the games begin.
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