Diamondbacks Vs Braves: Breaking Down the Pitching Matchups

Robbie Ray hopes to rebound in game 1 against Atlanta. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks start a 10 game road trip in Atlanta for a 3 game series against Justin Upton and the Braves. Here is a breakdown of the starting pitching matchups we will see. 

Game 1: RHP Robbie Ray (3-7 3.13 ERA) vs. RHP Julio Teheran (7-6 4.57 ERA) 4:35 P.M. MST

Robbie Ray has arguably been the Diamondbacks best pitcher since he joined the rotation in May.

Ray has the lowest ERA of any starter in the rotation at 3.13 among pitchers with at least 77 innings pitched. He strikes out more than 4 times the batters he walks, and his HR/9 rate of 0.70 is outstanding.

Unfourtunatley for the Dbacks, Ray hasn’t been the same pitcher recently. In his last five starts Ra,y is 0-3 with a 4.88 ERA and a 3.68 FIP including losses in his last 2 starts.

In his last 3 starts Ray has given up 4 home runs, something he hasn’t done all season, and he is walking more batters.

Hopefully, Ray can discover his command again, and get the Dbacks starting rotation back on track after a poor performance by Chase Anderson on Sunday.

When the starters pitch well, the Dbacks have a great chance to win. Ray will be making his first start against the Braves. The only guy that has seen him is A.J. Pierzynski and in one at bat he is hitless.

For his talent, Julio Teheran has had a disappointing up and down season. He is supposed to be the ace of the Braves, and a 4.57 isn’t getting the job done.

However, in his last 2 starts he is 1-0 with a 2.08 FIP in 13.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 6.59/9.

Watch out for his changeup against lefties. Teheran has faced the Dbacks 4 times in his career and is 2-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 23.0 innings pitched.