Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo had some advice for stretch-run observers.
“Buckle up,” he said. “It’s going to be awesome.”
The Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers, both hunting for postseason spots, will continue their quest in the second game of a three-game series in Phoenix on Saturday night.
The D-backs scored the final nine runs in a 9-1 win on Friday.
“I know the guys are looking forward to just go out and compete,” Lovullo said of his group, which has won five of its past six games. “These meaningful games are going to be the highlight of our season.
“You couldn’t ask for anything more, to be sitting in this situation. It’s what we love about this game.”
Arizona’s Brandon Pfaadt (7-2, 3.53 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Texas’ Kumar Rocker (5-11, 4.61) in a matchup of right-handers on Saturday.
The D-backs (79-69) are one-half game behind San Diego (79-68) in the race for the third and final National League wild-card spot, and both are closing on wild-card leaders Philadelphia and the Chicago Cubs (both 82-66).
The Rangers (72-76), who have lost three games in a row, are three games behind Houston (75-73) for the AL West lead and three behind Cleveland (75-73) for the third AL wild-card spot.
Arizona right fielder Corbin Carroll homered Friday in his return to the lineup after missing two games with lower back discomfort. An MRI revealed no structural damage.
“Super positive news,” Carroll said. “Just made me a little more confident to go out there and take these swings I need to take.”
The Rangers appear close to adding a valuable piece of their own — right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (10-9, 4.21 ERA) could be activated from the injured list Saturday. He could be used out of the bullpen, or as an occasional opener, since he has not pitched since Aug. 7.
“I love where he’s at because he feels like he can help the team win right now and doesn’t want to waste any more of these rehab assignments or anything else,” Texas manager Skip Schumaker told The Dallas Morning News.
“He’s a whole different arm, and that’s the exciting part. I think it could provide a potential spark.”
Pfaadt has sparked the D-backs since his return from the minors on June 30. He is 7-1 with a 2.38 ERA in 13 starts since beating San Francisco that day, and the D-backs are 11-2 in those outings.
Pfaadt gave up three runs in 6 1/3 innings his last time out at Houston on Saturday, when the D-backs rallied for a 4-3 victory in 10 innings.
He is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against the Rangers. Pfaadt threw three scoreless innings of relief against them on May 12 in a game Arizona lost 7-4. Elias Diaz is 4-for-8 against Pfaadt, and Brandon Nimmo is 3-for-7.
Rocker’s last outing Friday was in bulk relief as the Rangers sought to work around his 8.63 ERA in the first inning. He gave up six runs (five earned) and nine hits in five innings of a 7-6 loss to Tampa Bay, entering in the third inning.
“Whenever I’m called to take the ball in a big league game, that’s what I do,” said Rocker, who has followed an opener three times this season. “I try to go out there and compete to the fullest I can.”
Rocker pitched five scoreless innings against the D-backs on May 13 but did not get a decision in the Rangers’ 6-5 victory. Carroll is 0-for-1 with two walks against him.
–Field Level Media
