Diamondbacks vs Red Sox game 1 preview

Despite the heartbreaking loss Wednesday afternoon, the D-backs are still rolling.  They are 7-3 in their last 10 games and with a 29-21 record, they sit in second in the highly competitive NL West.

Arizona will make the long trip back home from Philadelphia to play the Red Sox for a 3-game weekend series.  Boston is 4-6 over their last 10 games and overall they are 26-24; positioned in fourth place in the deep AL East.

At home this season, the Diamondbacks are 14-10.  On the road this season, the Red Sox are 11-13.  This should be a fun and even matchup to watch.  Boston is 4th in runs per game and Arizona is 6th.  Boston is 25th in team ERA and the Diamondbacks are 22nd.  Let the run parade commence.

The first pitch will be at 6:40 PM MST tonight!  You can purchase tickets for as low as $31 on TickPick.  This showdown will be aired on Bally Sports Arizona and NESN.  If you can’t watch the game, you can listen to it on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station or WEEI 93.7.

Diamondbacks vs Red Sox game 1 pitching matchup

For your beloved Diamondbacks, rookie righty Brandon Pfaadt will make his 5th career start.  After getting off to a terrible beginning in the big leagues, Pfaadt has settled down nicely.

In his last two starts, Pfaadt has pitched 10.1 innings giving up 4 earned runs (3.56 ERA) and striking out 8 batters.  Against the Giants on May 14th, Pfaadt only allowed 1 hit.

The key to success for Brandon will be figuring out how to locate his fastball because right now, it is getting crushed.  It has registered a -6 run value and batters are hitting .347 against it.  

It also wouldn’t be a terrible idea if he leaned on his sweeper a little more often.  This pitch has recorded a -2 run value and batters are only hitting .130 against it.

For Boston, veteran lefty Chris Sale will get the ball to start the game.  Like Pfaadt, Sale did not start out his season with a smile from ear to ear.  But also like Pfaadt, Sale has settled down nicely.

Over Sale’s last 3 starts, he is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA and he has racked up 27 strikeouts.  He is beginning to look like the old Chris Sale again, which doesn’t bode well for the D-backs.

Like most pitchers, Sale leans on his 4-seam fastball the most.  If Arizona wants to score runs off Sale tonight, this is the pitch they need to jump all over so that Sale’s nasty offspeed stuff doesn’t become prevalent.

Diamondbacks vs Red Sox game 1: Players to watch 👀

For Arizona, rookie Corbin Carroll is hotter than hot.  In his last 5 games, Carroll is 7-19 (.368) with 3 doubles, 1 homer, 4 stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.162.  Are you kidding me?!  Rookie of the Year is calling his name.

In 23 home games this season Carroll has recorded 21 hits, 5 stolen bases, and an OPS of .815.  He is hitting over .300 against lefties this season, so facing Sale shouldn’t be too big of a problem for him.  This kid is good, really really good.

Truth be told, the Red Sox are slumping at the plate.  But one shining star in their lineup has been rookie Masataka Yoshida.  Over his last 11 games, Yoshida has 13 hits, 5 RBIs, and an OPS of .804.

In 20 away games this season, Yoshida has 3 HRs, 9 RBIs, and an OPS of .871.  He hits much better on the road and against righties.  Versus right-handed pitching, he has recorded a slugging percentage of .517.  Expect at least 1 hit from both him and Carroll tonight.

Diamondbacks expected lineup

1. Marte 2B
2. Rivera 3B
3. Gurriel Jr. LF
4. Walker 1B
5. Carroll RF 🔥
6. Longoria DH
7. Moreno C
8. Fletcher CF
9. Perdomo SS

Red Sox expected lineup

1. Verdugo RF
2. Yoshida LF 🔥
3. Turner DH
4. Devers 3B
5. Duran CF
6. Hernandez SS
7. Casas 1B
8. Valdez DH
9. McGuire C