Arizona Diamondbacks: Predicting the Wild Card Game roster
The Starting Lineup
Who starts in Lovullo’s lineup will depend almost entirely on which team the D-backs face and who starts.
Assuming the Diamondbacks square with the Rockies, Bud Black has plenty of options. German Marquez has hung in their against Arizona this season, but struggled in his last start at Chase Field. Left hander Kyle Freeland might be a good match up because the D-backs as a team have a lower OPS against southpaws. Though, those numbers have improved since J.D. Martinez arrived.
Ultimately, I think the Rockies have to go with their best starter in a do-or-die situation. I agree with one Rox Pile writer, and I think Colorado will end up starting right hander Jon Gray. Gray faced the Diamondbacks in his last start on September 12. He went seven innings and allowed just two runs.
Here are the D-backs numbers against Gray this season:
As you can see, David Peralta not only has the most plate appearances but a pretty high average. J.D. Martinez has four career home runs off the Rockies right hander and Daniel Descalso should get the start at second. Brandon Drury has good numbers off Gray, but Descalso does too with a larger sample size. Plus, I think Descalso’s postseason experience will pay dividends.
There are pretty good numbers across the board for the D-backs against Gray this season. Hopefully, Goldschmidt can find something against the right hander, because the D-backs are always better off when he produces.
Here is how I would line the D-backs up against Gray:
- Peralta – LF
- Descalso – 2B
- Jake Lamb – 3B
- Martinez – RF
- Goldschmidt – 1B
- A.J. Pollock – CF
- Chris Iannetta – C
- Ketel Marte – SS
- Greinke – P