Arizona Diamondbacks: Scoreboard watching on Friday, Sept. 22
By Joseph Jacquez
Here is what you need to know about the other games taking place today that have implications for the Diamondbacks and the wild card race as a whole
All the Arizona Diamondbacks need to do is control their own destiny.
If you asked manager Torey Lovullo and the players about magic number scenarios and what other team’s in the race are doing, the above statement is what they would tell you.
Trust me on that.
But fans of the Arizona Diamondbacks, bloggers and media members pay attention to outside factors. Heck, when you have not had meaningful baseball to follow this late into the season since 2011, why not try and drive yourself crazy with math and what if questions.
It is fun to scoreboard watch. It is fun to know that your team is x numbers of games away from clinching a spot in the playoffs. It is fun to finally have a team you thought was supposed to compete a year ago finally live up to expectations.
For anybody that says doing math and watching the scoreboard is not fun or too much to keep track of, tell them it sure beats the alternative.
With all that in mind, here is what you need to know before Friday’s action gets underway.
Last Night
- The Cubs defeated the Brewers in extra innings, and former N.L. MVP Kris Bryant played a part in Chicago’s comeback.
- The Cardinals beat Joey Votto and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark.
- The pesky Padres shutout the struggling Colorado Rockies in San Diego.
What it means
The Diamondbacks were off on Thursday, but we cheered for the Cubs to beat the Brewers because any Brewers loss would have reduced the D-backs’ magic number.
Now, the magic number to clinch a playoff spot, not home field advantage, sits at three games. Right now, the magic number for home field advantage does not matter. In the grand scheme of things, the Diamondbacks should host the Wild Card Game.
Before Friday’s action, here is a look at the current wild card standings:
Arizona: 88-65 (.575) +6.0
Colorado: 82-71 (.536) —
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Milwaukee: 81-72 (.529) -1.0
St. Louis: 80-72 (.526) -1.5
Friday’s Action
Cardinals at Pirates: 4:05 p.m. MST
Michael Wacha (12-8, 4.02 ERA) gave up six hits and five walks in 5.2 innings against the Cubs in his last start on Sept. 16.
In three starts against the Pirates this season, Wacha is 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA.
Ivan Nova (11-14, 4.20 ERA) has a 4.82 ERA in three starts against St. Louis in 2017.
Cubs at Brewers: 4:35 p.m. MST
John Lackey (11-11, 4.62 ERA) only went 4.2 innings in his last start, because he was ejected for arguing.
In three starts against the Brewers this season, Lackey is 1-2 with a 3.79 ERA, but the one win came at Miller Park.
Brandon Woodruff (2-2, 3.28 ERA) has never faced the Cubs. The right hander has given up three runs or less in five of his six MLB starts.
Rockies at Padres: 7:10 p.m. MST
Jon Gray (8-4, 3.75 ERA) pitched five innings and gave up no runs in his last start against San Diego.
Jordan Lyles (1-3, 7.35) faced his former team in his last start and surrendered seven runs in four innings.
* The Dodgers can clinch the N.L. West with a win tonight or a D-backs loss.
Read our preview of tonight’s D-backs, Marlins game and the rest of the series below!
"Arizona Diamondbacks could clinch postseason appearance against Miami"
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