Diamondbacks-Twins Series Preview: Last Road Series

Sep 16, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher

(55) pitches in the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Last weekend’s trip to the Rocky Mountains wasn’t very fun. That is an understatement. The Dbacks were swept in four games against the Rockies, and now own last place in the N.L West all by themselves. They are also the worst team in all of Major League baseball a few percentage points behind the Texas Rangers. This team has given up, and you have to wonder if this team is playing for the no.1 pick in the June 2015 First Year Player Draft. The Dbacks will conclude their final road trip of the 2014 season with their final inter-league series against the Twins starting tonight. It will be the Snakes first look at Target Field. The Diamondbacks need to win at least once in their final six games to avoid losing 100 games. Hopefully the Dbacks can conclude the season with a winning streak, and avoid having the worst record in the MLB.

Game 1: RHP Josh Collmenter vs. RHP Ricky Nolasco

Remember when Collmenter made a start in Miami against the Marlins on August 17th? In that start he gave up 5 earned runs in just 4.0 innings. There was talk that he was experiencing fatigue because he was reaching his high mark for innings pitched. In five starts since then, the Tomahawk he has complied a 2-1 record, a 1.01 era, and a 2.88 FIP. Collmenter has been the Dbacks best starter lately, and he is going for his 11th win of the year to cap off a great season. He is trying to prove that he deserves to remain in the starting rotation for 2015. Nolasco threw eight shutout innings against the Tigers last time out, and he has a 3.09 era over his last five starts.

Game 2: LHP Andrew Chafin vs. RHP Kyle Gibson

Chafin will be making his third major league start. He was called up on August 13th due to an injury and tossed five shutout innings. He was then sent back to Triple A and helped the Aces go deep into the playoffs. He was recalled earlier this month, and has done a nice job. In his last start he allowed two runs over six innings. Chafin is trying to prove that he belongs with the big league club in 2015. Gibson gave up four runs over six innings against the Tigers but he recovered late to earn his 12th win.

Game 3: LHP Vidal Nuno vs. RHP Phil Hughes

Nuno has pitched well in pretty much every outing since coming over from Arizona. He has a 3.68 era with the Diamondbacks, but his record is 0-6. He is one of the best examples why wins and losses don’t matter. The bullpen has either given up the lead after he left, or his offense hasn’t given him run support. In his last start he allowed 3 runs in 5 and a third innings against the Rockies. Hughes has been the Twins ace this season. This will be his last start of 2014. He is 15-10 with a 3.61 era, and early in the season he was one of the best pitchers in the A.L. He has gone at least eight innings in his last eight starts and has a 2.65 era over that span. Its going to be hard for Nuno to get a win with Hughes on the mound.

Series Prediction: I think the Diamondbacks will get back on track and take 2 of 3 from the Twins to prevent a 100 loss season. I think the Dbacks will win game 1 behind another great start by Collmenter. In game 2 while Chafin has pitched well, he hasn’t really been tested, and I think that will hurt him. The Twins will win game 2. Finally in the rubber game I said that I will pick Nuno to win until he gets a win in sedona red, and I will stick with that even with Hughes on the mound.