Padres @ Dbacks Preview: Will Arizona Stay Hot?

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The Arizona Diamondbacks will continue their 4 game series on Friday night when the San Diego Padres return to Chase Field. The Padres will look to avenge last night’s 11-0 loss at the hands of the Dbacks. Arizona will continue their hot hitting ways that started earlier this week in Arizona.

Thursday’s shutout marks the 3rd time in 4 games that San Diego has failed to score. In their last 3 games, Arizona has knocked a combined 48 hits and scored a combined 29 runs. The starting pitchers for today’s game could provide a reverse of those trends.

Probable Pitchers

James Shields (3-0, 3.72 ERA, 48 K) vs Jeremy Hellickson (1-3, 5.20 ERA, 22 K)

Shields is one of the many off season acquisitions that have already been discussed.  Big Game James is coming off a World Series appearance with the Kansas City Royals. Before that, Shields had spent his career build his name in Tampa Bay. His first season in the National League has seen him go undefeated so far. Shields has yet to face the Dbacks and only a handful of players on the roster have had plate appearances against him.

Hellickson has struggled to start the season. His last performance was a no decision outing against Los Angeles. Hellickson does have an appearance against San Diego this season. It was a 6 2/3 inning loss that saw him surrender 7 hits and 5 runs. With the impending return of not only Archie Bradley, but Patrick Corbin as well, Hellickson could soon find himself on the hot seat.

Here are the Starting Lineups.

Mark Trumbo, for a third straight game, will be hitting 2nd in the lineup. In his first two games in that slot, he’s 4-for-8 with 4 runs, 2 homers, and 4 RBI. We think it’s working. Aaron Hill will return to the lineup after a scorching doubleheader against Colorado. Chris Owings, who went 2-for-4 last night, will move over to shortstop replacing Nick Ahmed. After smacking a career high 3 doubles last night, Tuffy Gosewisch will remain in the lineup.