Arizona Diamondbacks: What if the Brewers overtake the Rockies?
The Arizona Diamondbacks might face someone other than the Colorado Rockies in the 2017 N.L. Wild Card Game
Not to long ago, it was a foregone conclusion the Arizona Diamondbacks would face the Colorado Rockies in the 2017 Wild Card Game.
As late as Aug 11, the Rockies were a game up on the D-backs for the first wild card spot. The St. Louis Cardinals found themselves 4.5 games back of Colorado and the Milwaukee Brewers were 6.5 behind the Rockies. At that point, St. Louis had won seven in a row, Milwaukee had lost six in a row and the Diamondbacks had lost three in a row.
Boy, how things have changed.
Currently, the Diamondbacks the team on top, but by 6.0 games. The Rockies are holding on to a slim one-game lead for the second wild card over the Brewers who are a game back. St. Louis is 1.5 games back.
The Rockies have lost four in a row, the Brewers have dropped three straight and the Cardinals have won three in a row.
It is a real possibility the Diamondbacks will host the Brewers at Chase Field on Wed. Oct, 4. Of course, this assumes Arizona holds on to the top wild card spot. Barring an epic collapse, Torey Lovullo‘s ball club will.
So, how have the Diamondbacks stacked up with the Brew Crew this season?
Season Series (6 games)
These two teams matched up for three games at Miller Park over Memorial Day weekend in late May and at Chase Field in early June.
W/L: D-backs, 4-3
Record by Ballpark: Chase Field (2-1), Miller Park (2-2)
Runs Scored: D-backs (34), Brewers (28)
Batting Average: D-backs (.242), Brewers (.233)
HR: D-backs (10), Brewers (6)
K: D-backs (64), Brewers (65)
ERA: D-backs (3.77), Brewers (4.79)
These are only six stats, but all of the numbers are close. One team does not have a clear advantage over the other, This could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you see it.
The earned run average stat is the only one clearly in the Diamondbacks favor, but it is slightly deceiving. The Diamondbacks have hit the Brewers bullpen hard.
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D-backs bats vs. Brewers pitching
Here are some of the notable highlights:
David Peralta: 28 at-bats, .321 average, 1 HR, 4 RBI
Paul Goldschmidt: 27 at-bats, .318 average, 1 HR, 6 RBI
Brandon Drury: 20 at-bats, .350 average, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Jake Lamb: 27 at-bats, .185 average, 2 HR, 7 RBI
Chris Iannetta: 11 at-bats, .364 average, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Gregor Blanco: 17 at-bats, .294 average, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Chris Owings: 19 at-bats, .316 average, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Chris Herrmann: 13 at-bats, .154 average, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Lamb may not have the highest average, but he has done the most damage.
The Diamondbacks could use Owings back against the Rockies. He has scored three runs and hit two doubles.
Peralta and Drury are tied for the team lead in total bases with 14.
Brewers bats vs. D-backs pitching
The Brewers have a four batters that have hit Arizona well this season.
Orlando Arcia: 21 at-bats, .476 average, 0 HR, 1 RBI
Manny Pina: 13 at-bats, .462 average, 0 HR, 3 RBI
Travis Shaw: 13 at-bats, .385 average, 0 HR, 1 RBI
Jesus Aguilar: 15 at-bats, .333 average, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Hernan Perez (.208) and Domingo Santana (.261) lead the team in RBI against the D-backs with five, followed by Jet Bandy (.214) with four.
Perez also leads the team in home runs against the D-backs with two.
Brewers starter
Milwaukee’s best starter this season has been Zach Davies. He is tied with Zack Greinke for the N.L. lead in wins, but has struggled against the Diamondbacks (4.91 ERA in two starts). In his only start at Chase Field this season, Davies gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits and allowed a home run in five innings.
Here are the active D-backs he has faced this season, and their numbers:
If Milwaukee faces Arizona, Chase Anderson might start for the Brewers. He owns a 0.69 ERA in two starts against the D-backs this season.
D-backs starter
It is almost a given that Zack Greinke will start the wild card game for Arizona. But in his only start against the Brewers this season, he gave up five earned runs in five innings at Miller Park.
Robbie Ray has yet to surrender an earned run against the Brewers in two starts. Zack Godley owns a 1.42 ERA in two starts.
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