Mets VS. D-Backs Series Preview

Jun 27, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) throws during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Image Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

After a two-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Diamondbacks offense is finally starting to pick it up. The team looked dead and buried after their last series on the road. The main player responsible for their recent success is Martin Prado. In his last 11 games, the 29-year-old has a .400/.467/1.117 triple-slash with eight extra-base hits, including 16 hits overall.

This series against the New York Mets is a chance for Arizona to pick up some games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who they trail by 5 1/2 games in the National League West division.

This will be the second meeting between the two clubs this season. Thus far, Arizona is 2-2 against them.

Game 1 (Friday): Jeremy Hefner (4-8, 4.23 ERA) vs. Patrick Corbin (12-3, 2.33 ERA)

Hefner showed signs against the Kansas City Royals that he was bouncing back after a rough start to the second half. He allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings, but had one poor inning before settling in. Hefner is still one of the Mets’ most reliable starters.

Corbin has lost his past two starts, but it is not all his fault; the lefty has thrown 14 innings in his last two starts yielding four runs. He has a chance to avenge his first defeat of the season, at New York on July 2.

Game 2 (Saturday): Zack Wheeler (4-2, 3.73 ERA) vs. Brandon McCarthy (2-5, 4.94 ERA)

Wheeler’s pattern of less-than-impressive outings following dominant ones continued Sunday. The rookie allowed four runs — three earned — over five innings against the Royals. This was one start after he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning vs. the Miami Marlins.

On August 4, McCarthy made his first start since coming off the disabled list, and seemed to run out of gas. He lasted  just 4 1/3 innings against the Boston Red Sox. He allowed two runs on five hits, but three walks hurt his pitch count and forced his exit. The righty seeks his first win since May 24.

Game 3 (Sunday): Jon Niese (3-6, 4.32 ERA) vs. Zeke Spruill (0-1, 6.48 ERA)

Niese makes his return from the DL in Arizona. The lefty last started on June 20 against the Atlanta Braves, allowing three runs in 3 1/3 innings before leaving the game with a shoulder injury that would land him on the disabled list the next day.

Spruill made his rotation debut against the Texas Rangers on Aug. 1, surrendering five runs on seven hits over four innings. This could be his last start with Trevor Cahill getting ready to return from the disabled list soon.