Diamondbacks series preview: Back Home to Face the Pirates

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Apr 17, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) throws the ball during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Pitching Matchups:

Friday: LHP Jon Niese (2-0, 3.50 ERA) vs. LHP Patrick Corbin (1-1, 2.75 ERA)

Saturday: RHP Juan Nicasio (2-1, 4.80 ERA) vs. RHP Rubby De la Rosa (1-3, 8.44 ERA)

Sunday: LHP Francisco Liriano (1-1, 4.11 ERA) vs. LHP Robbie Ray (1-0 1.96 ERA)

Niese will get the ball tonight. He was efficient in his last start, going seven shutout innings while allowing just three hits against the Brewers. His average fastball velocity sits at just 89.6 mph this season, and the D-backs are a great fastball-hitting team.

Corbin has been the Diamondbacks best pitcher. He threw more than 100 pitches going six innings and picking up the win against the Padres giving up just one run. Going six plus innings is key for Corbin. In his last 13 starts of at least 6.0 innings, he is 6-3 with a 1.88 ERA.

Juan Nicasio had a dominant debut but he struggled in his second start. He bounced back though on Sunday putting together a quality start in the Pirates win over the Brewers.

Rubby De La Rosa was skipped in the rotation in favor of Archie Bradley because he was asked to do some relief work, and came up big earning his first win in the pen. His biggest key is to throw hard from the get go, throw down in the zone, and see how long it lasts. H

Liriano struggled with his command, something that has hurt him throughout his career walking five and allowing four runs in 4.1 innings in a loss to the Padres.

Ray lowered his ERA under two after his best start of the season against the Giants throwing six shutout innings. Ray only walked two batters and had all of his pitches working. Look to see more and more of his curveball.