Arizona Diamondbacks scouts ready to track potential postseason teams

With the postseason less than three weeks away, Diamondbacks scouts have begun to fan out across both leagues to get looks at potential opponents in hopes of gathering information that could be beneficial in a postseason series.

Assistant General Manager Jared Porter said the club initially will have two scouts on each of the contending National League clubs and one scout on three or perhaps four American League teams.

Porter said the three scouts who have been involved with the team’s advance scouting all season – Jeff Gardner, Josh Barfield and Rob Leary – will bounce around for the time being, seeing the teams remaining on the regular-season schedule with the potential to peel off if an upcoming playoff opponent comes into focus.

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“If it looks like we’re going to make it and, let’s say, the Dodgers are going to finish with the best record and there’s a chance of us playing them, then someone will get on them, too, at the same time,” Porter said. “They’ve been (advancing) all year, so they know what our (coaching) staff is looking for. They can kind of help (the other two scouts) that are there.”

Those involved are a combination of pro and amateur scouts, and Porter said the level of involvement is partly ordered by their previous experience doing advance work.

“To me, it’s one of the most exciting times of the year for the scouts,” Porter said. “I think it’s an honor for us to be able to do it based on how well our team has played, but it’s also an honor for them to be selected to do it. They’re all looking forward to it.”

Martinez back in lineup for D-Backs

Slugger J.D. Martinez, who was scratched from Friday night’s game due to neck stiffness, was back in the lineup Saturday.

“I’m going to try it,” Martinez said. “It feels good right now. I did a bunch of stuff in there (trainers’ room) I feel fine. We’ll see. It’s that cold air that gets it, but I think I’ll be fine.”

Martinez said he woke up on Thursday morning with the neck feeling stiff but felt fine after receiving treatment and getting out on the field in the warmer Arizona climate. He said he felt pretty good on Friday, as well, but it tightened up again in the cold weather in San Francisco.

“I just slept wrong the night before,” he said.

Historic run

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo had kind words for the Cleveland Indians after their incredible 22-game win streak came to an end on Friday night.

“It’s an incredible feeling to go almost a month without losing a baseball game,” Lovullo said. “Not many teams have been able to do that. They deserve it. That’s a special group over there.”

It was pointed out that the Indians’ streak was almost a week and a half longer than the Diamondbacks’ 13-game streak that ended earlier this month.

“We’re proud of our 13-game win streak, but when you compare it to 22 in a row, it’s a far cry from what they did,” Lovullo said. “When you do things like that, it means you’re doing a lot of things right. You’re playing the game the right way.”

The 22 games was an American League record. The Indians fell four wins shy of the 1916 New York Giants, who won 26 games in a row, though that run included a tie.

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Sunday’s game

Diamondbacks at Giants

When: 1:05 p.m.

Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco.

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (9-7, 3.32) vs. Giants RHP Chris Stratton (2-3, 4.07).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Walker has given up just four runs in his past 28 2/3 innings (1.26 ERA) spanning his past five starts. … He’s also been a contributor at the plate in recent games. He has a hit in three straight games and six of his past nine. … In four starts against the Giants this year, he has a 3.86 ERA. OF Jarrett Parker is 4 for 14 (.286) with one double, one triple and one home run off Walker. … Stratton had a strong August, posting a 1.52 ERA in 23 2/3 innings in four starts. … He did not pitch well against the Rockies on Sept. 4, allowing three runs in four innings, then logged just 1/3 of an inning in his last start before leaving because of a lengthy rain/lightning delay. … He faced the Diamondbacks on Aug. 27, giving up two runs in six innings.

Coming up

Monday: At San Diego, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (14-12, 4.06) vs. Padres RHP Luis Perdomo (7-10, 4.61).

Tuesday: At San Diego, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (8-7, 3.00) vs. Padres LHP Travis Wood (1-3, 6.91).

Wednesday: At San Diego, 6:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (14-5, 2.74) vs. Padres RHP Dinelson Lamet (7-7, 4.15).