(1 Pick)
8:03PM EST: D-Backs -105 (3 Units)
Zac Gallen starts for Arizona. He's pitched better than his post-season ERA shows but regardless it isn't the Cy Young type of season he's had. Still, he's posted a 2.47 ERA at Home during the regular season and would have turned in a Quality start in his lone home post-season start if not falling victim to some tough luck. All about surviving the first inning for him while he finds his grove. No Adolis Garcia at the top of the lineup should help. He had an RBI single, Walk, and 108mph groundout missile in 3 at bats against him in Game 1 of the series. Gallen allowed 3 ER across 5IP in Game 1.
The big thing is Arizona's big 3 being rested. They haven't pitched since game 1. Game script's dictated that but Ryne Nelson firing off 5.1IP in relief yesterday was big for Arizona. Thompson, Ginkel, and Sewald can patch together 5 innings if they need to tonight. It's do or die and there's a day off tomorrow even if Lovullo over extends them. AZ just needs Gallen to get them halfway through this game before they pass it off to what's been the best post-season trio so far. Those 3 have a combined 1.47 ERA across 30.2 innings pitched this post-season.
The Rangers will start Nathan Eovaldi. Arizona blasted him for 5 runs in Game 1. Still he's been good at it's unlikely they get to him like that again but Arizona's offense can score with the best of them. Arizona also jumped all over the Texas bullpen yesterday. Despite trailing 11-1 at one point they forced Bochy to turn to Closer Jose Leclerc. He's up to 52 pitches over the last 5 days and has now pitched in 3 of 4 games against Arizona. Including back-to-back games heading into tonight.
Arizona has a big edge in the 2nd half of this game and it's pretty even to start. Unfortunately Sewald allowed his first runs of the post-season in a blown save against Texas in Game 1 otherwise this series is tied at 2 a piece. Things feel a bit hopeless for AZ but it's been a rather evenly matched series. This can turn very quickly, especially with Kelly on the bump for Arizona in a potential game 6.
