D-Backs VS. Phillies Series Preview

Aug 18, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley (36) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona had a chance to narrow the gap in the wild-card standings against the Cincinnati Red but they came up short. The club lost three of four games against Cincy and are now seven games behind them for the second and final wild-card spot.

The good news is that for the rest of the season the schedule is in the D-Backs favor. They only face one team that has a winning record – the Los Angeles Dodgers, for seven games in September. Arizona will conclude their road trip by taking on the Philadelphia Phillies, and this could be a way for them to start a winning streak.

This is the second meeting between these two clubs this season. Thus far, Arizona is 2-2 against Philly.

Game 1 (Friday): Wade Miley (9-8, 3.56 ERA) vs, Cole Hamels (5-13, 3.61 ERA)

Miley pitched well his last time out against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing just two runs over eight frames in a 16-inning win for Arizona. Miley, who has not lost since July 20, will be facing the Phillies for the first time this year.

Hamels is finishing the season strong after a nightmarish beginning. He is 3-2 with a 2.05 ERA in nine starts since the beginning of July, striking out 55 and just walking eight batters in 66 innings.

Game 2 (Saturday): Randall Delgado (4-4, 3.82 ERA) vs. Ethan Martin (2-2, 5.23 ERA)

Delgado struggled his last time out against the Reds as he allowed five runs over six innings and suffered the loss, his first since July 8. Over his past four starts, he has a 6.00 ERA, yet the D-Backs are 3-1 in those games.

Martin had his best start of his career in Monday’s victory over the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. He allowed four hits, two runs and two walks and struck out six in 6 1/3 innings.

Game 3 (Sunday): Patrick Corbin (13-3, 2.45 ERA) vs. Tyler Cloyd (2-3, 4.02 ERA)

Corbin had one of his finest outings of the year his last time out as he held the Reds to a pair of runs while tossing his second complete game of the season. Arizona is 21-4 in games started by Corbin this year.

Cloyd had some issues in his last start against the Rockies with him allowing five runs across six innings thrown. This was the second time this season that the right-hander had allowed at least five runs in a start.

The opposition is having no issues dealing with his pitches, as they have a .285 batting average against him. Cloyd does bear down with runners in scoring position, by holding teams to a .195 average in this situation.