WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Zack Godley after loss vs. Giants | 1:24
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Godley gave up six runs (five earned) in 4 1/3 innings against the Giants on Monday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Paul Goldschmidt after D-Backs clinch wild card spot | 0:50
Slugger Paul Goldschmidt in the celebratory clubhouse after the Diamondbacks clinched a wild card spot. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB D-Backs celebrate walk-off win over Miami | 0:31
The Diamondbacks secured home field for the National League wild-card game. Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Diamondbacks celebrate playoff berth | 0:44
After clinching a National League wild card berth earlier in the day, the D-Backs celebrated securing home field with a walk-off win over the Miami Marlins. Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Fernando Rodney on his 300th career save | 1:07
Diamondbacks closer Fernando Rodney speaks after recording his 300th save in a win over the Marlins on Friday.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Chris Iannetta on his 8-RBI night in D-Backs’ win | 1:11
Diamondbacks catcher Chris Iannetta discusses his eight-RBI night in Arizona’s win over the Marlins on Friday.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Archie Bradley answers questions from reporters – and J.D. Martinez | 1:43
Diamondbacks reliever Archie Bradley talks with reporters about his RBI single in the eighth, then answers questions from teammate J.D. Martinez.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo after D-Backs avoid sweep in San Diego | 1:32
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 13-7 come-from-behind win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo on recent offensive struggles after loss to Padres | 1:14
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he has “minimal” concern about his team’s recent offensive struggles.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB A.J. Pollock on his two-homer game vs. Padres | 1:11
Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock talks about the two home runs he hit on Tuesday night in San Diego.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB D-Backs’ Zack Godley after loss to Padres | 1:35
Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley talks about his loss to the Padres on Tuesday night in San Diego.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Patrick Corbin on mistakes vs. Padres | 1:09
Diamondbacks lefty Patrick Corbin talks about Yangervis Solarte’s tough at-bat that preceded Hunter Renfroe’s key three-run homer in a 4-2 loss to the Padres.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ loss to Padres | 1:36
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 4-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on Monday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Taijuan Walker on shaky outing vs. Giants | 1:12
Right-hander Taijuan Walker gave up four runs in five innings against the Giants, who beat the Diamondbacks 7-2 on Sunday afternoon.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo after loss to Giants | 1:08
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 7-2 loss to the Giants on Sunday afternoon.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Zack Greinke after 2-0 win over Giants | 1:48
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke gave up two hits in eight scoreless innings against the Giants on Saturday night. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo on Greinke’s dominant start vs. Giants | 1:38
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about ace Zack Greinke’s eight shutout innings on Saturday evening against the San Francisco Giants. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Robbie Ray after 10-strikeout game vs. Giants | 1:36
Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray talks about his performance in a 3-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Friday night at AT&T Park. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Archie Bradley on baseball and beards | 3:14
Diamondbacks reliever Archie Bradley discusses the energy associated with his appearances as a reliever and his beard. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo on Pollock’s two-run double, Ray’s outing | 1:24
Manager Torey Lovullo talks about the Diamondbacks’ 3-2 win over the Giants on Friday night. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Shot Clock: D-Backs’ Archie Bradley talks football | 2:29
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach chats with D-Backs pitcher Archie Bradley about a different sport.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Zack Godley on his outing against the Rockies | 0:54
Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley discusses his play against Colorado.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo on big win over Rockies | 1:04
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo discusses his team’s win over Colorado on Thursday.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Paul Goldschmidt downplays his 1,000th career hit | 1:12
Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt wasn’t too interested in discussing his 1,000th career hit on Wednesday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Lovullo discusses his team’s win over the Rockies | 2:02
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo on his team’s win over Colorado on Wednesday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB D-Backs’ A.J. Pollock on his three-hit night | 1:08
Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock talks about his three-hit night against the Colorado Rockies.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Patrick Corbin on his outing against the Rockies | 1:57
Corbin on his solid performance against the Rockies
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Shot Clock: D-Backs stay ahead of Rockies? | 2:03
Mark Faller and Greg Moore discuss the MLB Wild Card race between the Diamondbacks and the Rockies.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo on loss to Rockies | 1:04
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo breaks down his team’s loss to Colorado.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB J.D. Martinez following D-Backs’ loss to Rockies | 1:23
Slugger J.D. Martinez homered and doubled but the Diamondbacks dropped a 4-2 decision to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Taijuan Walker on his outing against the Rockies | 0:30
Taijuan Walker breaks down his performance against Colorado.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Diamondbacks’ rally falls short against Rockies | 1:08
Manager Torey Lovullo, right-hander Zack Greinke and right-hander Jake Barrett react to the 5-4 loss.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Robbie Ray on his outing vs. Padres | 1:06
Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray’s pitch count got a little high early but he still managed to go six strong innings against the Padres on Sunday. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Manager Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win, Bradley’s save | 1:49
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about the Diamondbacks’ win over the Padres, including his decision to use Archie Bradley in the ninth inning. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Diamondbacks react to ‘tough’ loss to Padres | 1:06
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, pitcher Zack Godley on their loss to the Padres. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Coyotes take batting practice at Chase Field | 1:21
Coyotes players took batting practice at Chase Field before the Diamondbacks hosted the Padres Friday. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo on the end of the D-Backs’ win streak | 1:40
Manager Torey Lovullo, left-hander Patrick Corbin and third baseman Jake Lamb react to the 10-6 loss. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Paul Goldschmidt says his elbow is structurally sound | 2:16
Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt talks about the results of Tuesday’s MRI exam on his right elbow.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Zack Greinke after D-Backs’ win over Dodgers | 2:00
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke gave up one run in seven innings in a 3-1 win over the Dodgers in 10 innings on Tuesday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ record-tying 12th consecutive win | 1:11
Manager Torey Lovullo talks about the Diamondbacks’ franchise-record-tying 12th consecutive win, a 3-1 victory over the Dodgers.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Shot Clock: JD rocks LA; Cards chase Seattle | 2:01
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss J.D. Martinez’s four home runs against the Dodgers and more in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB J.D. Martinez on his four-homer night vs. Dodgers | 1:21
Diamondbacks slugger J.D. Martinez said everything lined up perfectly for him on Monday night, when he tied a record by hitting four homers in a game at Dodger Stadium. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Paul Goldschmidt talks about his sore right elbow | 1:48
Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt, who is returning to Phoenix to undergo an MRI, talks about what he’s been feeling in his right elbow. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo on J.D. Martinez’s four-homer performance | 1:33
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about J.D. Martinez’s record-tying night at Dodger Stadium. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Robbie Ray after striking out career-high 14 vs. Dodgers | 1:43
Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray talks about J.D. Martinez’s record night and his own performance against the Dodgers on Monday night. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ 10th consecutive win | 1:39
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 5-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday at Coors Field. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Zack Godley on wild yet effective outing vs. Rockies | 1:06
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Godley issued six walks but allowed just one run against the Rockies on Sunday. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
Paul Goldschmidt after D-Backs clinch wild card spot
D-Backs celebrate walk-off win over Miami
Diamondbacks celebrate playoff berth
Fernando Rodney on his 300th career save
Chris Iannetta on his 8-RBI night in D-Backs’ win
Archie Bradley answers questions from reporters – and J.D. Martinez
Torey Lovullo after D-Backs avoid sweep in San Diego
Torey Lovullo on recent offensive struggles after loss to Padres
A.J. Pollock on his two-homer game vs. Padres
D-Backs’ Zack Godley after loss to Padres
Patrick Corbin on mistakes vs. Padres
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ loss to Padres
Taijuan Walker on shaky outing vs. Giants
Torey Lovullo after loss to Giants
Zack Greinke after 2-0 win over Giants
Torey Lovullo on Greinke’s dominant start vs. Giants
Robbie Ray after 10-strikeout game vs. Giants
Archie Bradley on baseball and beards
Torey Lovullo on Pollock’s two-run double, Ray’s outing
Shot Clock: D-Backs’ Archie Bradley talks football
Zack Godley on his outing against the Rockies
Torey Lovullo on big win over Rockies
Paul Goldschmidt downplays his 1,000th career hit
Lovullo discusses his team’s win over the Rockies
D-Backs’ A.J. Pollock on his three-hit night
Patrick Corbin on his outing against the Rockies
Shot Clock: D-Backs stay ahead of Rockies?
Torey Lovullo on loss to Rockies
J.D. Martinez following D-Backs’ loss to Rockies
Taijuan Walker on his outing against the Rockies
Diamondbacks’ rally falls short against Rockies
Robbie Ray on his outing vs. Padres
Manager Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win, Bradley’s save
Diamondbacks react to ‘tough’ loss to Padres
Coyotes take batting practice at Chase Field
Torey Lovullo on the end of the D-Backs’ win streak
Paul Goldschmidt says his elbow is structurally sound
Zack Greinke after D-Backs’ win over Dodgers
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ record-tying 12th consecutive win
Shot Clock: JD rocks LA; Cards chase Seattle
J.D. Martinez on his four-homer night vs. Dodgers
Paul Goldschmidt talks about his sore right elbow
Torey Lovullo on J.D. Martinez’s four-homer performance
Robbie Ray after striking out career-high 14 vs. Dodgers
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ 10th consecutive win
Zack Godley on wild yet effective outing vs. Rockies
The Diamondbacks secured an NL wild card and proceeded to lose a “letdown.” They face the Giants again Tuesday looking for a rebound win. Check back for live updates.
Greinke to face Royals on Friday
Zack Greinke admitted he didn’t have the most ironclad reasoning for wanting to push back his scheduled start from Wednesday to Friday, but he said it sounded like the approach that would best prepare him to take the ball in next week’s wild-card game.
Greinke was originally scheduled to face the Giants on Wednesday but instead will pitch in Kansas City on Friday. That means he’ll be pitching on six days’ rest Friday and the normal four days’ rest for the Oct. 4 game.
“Since it was either have seven days this time or seven days the next time, it became a question of which one would you rather have the seven days on,” Greinke said. “So my first thought was to have the seven days this time. I guess people think I put more thought into things than I really do, but I just felt like it made more sense. I don’t know if it actually does make more sense, but I felt like it did.”
Part of Greinke’s thinking, he said, was the results from his most recent start, when he gave up eight runs in four innings against the Marlins on Friday night.
“I pitched really bad last game so I kind of liked the idea of having extra time between this start so I could work on some things and hopefully fix it,” he said.
It’s possible Greinke won’t throw as many pitches on Friday against the Royals, giving him a lighter workload so he’ll be fresh for the wild-card outing.
“I think that’s the ideal situation,” Greinke said. “It might work out that way. It might not. But that’s the ideal plan.”
Reading tealeaves
The Diamondbacks will start right-hander Braden Shipley in Greinke’s place on Wednesday. After an off day Thursday, Greinke will start Friday and Taijuan Walker will start Saturday. Manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday has yet to be determined.
If the Diamondbacks advance to the division series, they likely would shift one of their starting pitchers into a relief role. Lovullo said Tuesday he’d like to get that starter a chance to work out of the bullpen before the playoffs.
“Finding their way to the bullpen and getting an outing is important because it’s a totally different animal,” Lovullo said. “Getting ready, being ready for five, six innings of a game, that’s a whole new mindset. It is important.”
If Walker is starting Saturday, that would seem to indicate the club is planning to keep him in the rotation, and that either Patrick Corbin or Zack Godley will be moved into the bullpen.
Lovullo, though, said the club hasn’t “gotten that far as to who it is and what the names are. We’ve just been throwing out normal, casual baseball conversations.”
As for why the Sunday starter is listed as TBA, Lovullo said it has to do with the potential wild-card opponent, though he wouldn’t go into specifics.
“Maybe holding back somebody for a bullpen matchup,” Lovullo said. “Without going too much further about Sunday’s starter, we want to make sure we have the exact pieces that we need for Wednesday’s game ready to go. We don’t want to expire anybody that day.”
Either Corbin, Godley or lefty Robbie Ray would be rested enough to pitch on Sunday. It’s possible the team is considering keeping Ray available to pitch in relief in the wild card game. However, it seems reasonable to think someone could pitch a few innings on Sunday before throwing in relief on Wednesday.
In a perfect world, the Diamondbacks likely would want Ray to start Game 1 of the division series, if they get that far.
Prospects honored
The Diamondbacks had right-hander Jon Duplantier and first baseman Kevin Cron at Chase Field on Tuesday to honor them for taking home the organization’s pitcher and player of the year honors, respectively.
Duplantier logged a 1.39 ERA in 136 innings between Low-A Kane County and High-A Visalia, the lowest mark in the minors since Justin Verlander posted a 1.29 ERA in 2005.
“The low numbers kind of came because of the consistency,” Duplantier said. “I’m not saying I’m a master of anything, but I’m trying to master just consistency — knowing what my ball is going to do and trying to get it there.”
Cron made significant strides in improving his batting average and on-base without sacrificing his power numbers. He finished with a .283 average and a .357 on-base and he led the Double-A Southern League with 25 home runs.
“I think I did a really good job of finding out who I was as a hitter, what pitches I can handle and, day-in and day-out, executing a plan,” Cron said. “That was something I did way better than I ever have in my career and something that I feel very confident moving forward with.”
Short hop
The Diamondbacks named the scout section behind home plate after longtime executive Roland Hemond, honoring him during a ceremony during batting practice. “Roland is a living legend in every sense of the word and his contributions to the D-Backs and the game of Major League Baseball are unparalleled,” Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall said in a statement. “What he has accomplished both as a general manager and as an ambassador for the game, its employees and its players makes him incredibly worthy of this permanent spot in Chase Field.”
Tuesday’s game
When: 6:40 p.m.
Where: Chase Field (Roof hotline: 602-462-6262).
Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (14-5, 2.95) vs. Giants LHP Matt Moore (6-14, 5.20).
TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-AM (98.7), KSUN-AM (1400).
Ray did not throw well last week in San Diego, giving up five runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Padres. … Prior to that, he had thrown very well in five starts since coming off the disabled list, logging a 1.39 ERA in 32 1/3 innings. … Ray faced the Giants in San Francisco on Sept. 15, allowing one earned run and striking out 10 in seven innings. … Moore is coming off a strong start against the Rockies last Wednesday, when he tossed six shutout innings with two walks and six strikeouts. … Lefties have hit .367 off him this season, compared to a .252 average against righties. … He has a 6.51 ERA on the road compared to a 4.21 ERA at home.
Tuesday’s lineup
Rodney could earn at least $4 million
The price tag for closer Fernando Rodney’s services has climbed as the year has progressed. The Diamondbacks are happy to be paying it.
When the Diamondbacks signed him in December, they guaranteed him a $2.75 million base salary with the chance to earn up to $6.75 million if he met various games finished/appearance thresholds.
As it stands, Rodney is in line to earn $4 million this year, but if he appears in one more game to reach the 60-appearance mark, he’ll earn an addition $250,000.
Rodney, who turned 40 in March, is one save away from becoming the second pitcher in history to reach the 40-save mark at the age of 40. He’s converted 39 of 45 save opportunities this season, logging a 4.33 ERA.