Phillies-Diamondbacks Game 2 Preview: Innings Eater?

Apr 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo reacts after giving up a three-run home run to Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Travis Wood (not pictured) during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

In the offseason, the Diamondbacks were looking for a top of the rotation starter to help with the pitching and ace Patrick Corbin especially. After losing out on Masahiro Tanaka who signed a huge deal with the Yankees, the Dbacks had to settle on free agent Bronson Arroyo. At the time it seemed like a good acquisition for Kevin Towers and the Dbacks. Before coming to Arizona, Arroyo was known as an veteran innings eater who stays healthy and consistently wins between 12-18 games a year and pitches over 200 innings if he stays healthy. So far this season he hasn’t fit the bill. Granted, Arroyo has dealt with back problems all season, but he simply hasn’t gotten the job done. He is 1-2 with a 9.50 era in 2014, and he has 18 innings in 4 starts. That is averaging 4.5 innings per start. Last time I checked, that is not eating innings. He has an opportunity today to go deep into the game and push the Dbacks to their fourth win in a row. Here is the need to know info for game 2 as the Snakes go for a series win at Chase Field:

Up Next:

What: Phillies@Diamondbacks

When: 5:10pm

Where: Chase Field

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR FM (98.7)

Matchup: LHP Cliff Lee vs. RHP Bronson Arroyo

Need to Know: Lee a former CY Young Award winner continues to roll as the ace of the Phillies…He is 2-2 with a 1.20 era in his last four starts…In 30 innings in those four starts he has allowed just 33 hits, four earned runs, one walk, and has struck out 37…The problem is the Phillies offense hasn’t supported him a whole lot this season, and that is why he has those two losses…He has been very good against the Snakes in his career going 4-1 with a 2.93 era in 43 innings striking out 42…Arroyo allowed 5 runs in 5 and a third innings in his last start against he Cubs at Wrigley…He has not been very good against the Phillies in his career going 4-7 with a 5.35 era in 70.2 innings pitched striking out 45….The hot Aaron Hill is batting .400 in his career with 3 RBI’s against Lee…Marlon Byrd is hitting .368 with a HR and 2 RBI against Arroyo in his career.

Dbacks Lineup: courtesy of Cindy Brunson on twitter

Projected starters for the next two games:

Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon McCarthy (0-4, 6.23) vs. Phillies RHP A.J. Burnett (0-1, 2.73).

Monday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Wade Miley (2-2, 4.50) vs. Rockies LHP Franklin Morales (2-1, 3.86).