As the Arizona Diamondbacks (77-60, 2nd NL West) face off against the San Francisco Giants (68-70, 4th NL West) on Tuesday, another chapter in their rivalry unfolds in a three-game series. Arizona is wrapping up a four-game set against the Dodgers, having lost two of the first three contests at home (Note: This article was crafted prior to Monday’s results). Meanwhile, San Francisco is coming off a day of rest after losing two out of three games against the Marlins. Currently, the Diamondbacks lead the season series against the Giants, 4-3. The matchup features Ryne Nelson (4.22 ERA) on the mound for Arizona, while San Francisco counters with Kyle Harrison (4.22 ERA). The first pitch is scheduled for 9:45 EST at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Arizona’s Postseason Aspirations
The Diamondbacks have been determined to narrow the gap behind the Dodgers in the NL West. They recently managed to reduce the deficit to two games, but it has since widened to five games as they enter this series. Despite this setback, Arizona currently occupies the top Wild Card spot, with the Padres and Braves close behind. In a dominant performance against the Dodgers, the D-Backs scored eight runs in the second inning, ultimately winning 14-3.
Starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt shone in that game, achieving ten strikeouts. Randal Grichuk contributed significantly with a three-run home run. After the game, Grichuk reflected on the team’s resilience, saying, “The first two games didn’t go our way, but we didn’t give up in either of those games, and we’re not going to give up — that showed up today.” Grichuk, now with six home runs and 31 RBIs this season, played designated hitter on Sunday. Corbin Carroll, typically the leadoff hitter, batted second and recorded two hits along with an RBI, bringing his season totals to 19 home runs and 64 RBIs. Unfortunately, Christian Walker, a key power hitter with 23 home runs, will be absent due to an oblique injury.
Ryne Nelson, at 26 years old, will make his 24th start of the season. He has a record of 9-6 but has faced challenges lately, losing two of his last three outings. His ERA stands at 4.22, with 112 strikeouts against 30 walks, and he has allowed 15 home runs this year. In his last appearance, Nelson pitched 6.2 innings, giving up two earned runs in a loss to the Mets.
Giants Struggle Against the Marlins
The San Francisco Giants are struggling to remain competitive, currently seven games behind for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. Following a disappointing series against the Marlins, the team’s morale has taken a hit, especially since the Marlins rank as one of the league’s weaker teams alongside the Rockies and White Sox. San Francisco won the series opener against Miami but fell in the subsequent two games. In their final game of the series, they took an early lead with a leadoff home run from Mike Yastrzemski only to end up losing 7-5.
Yastrzemski, who has been shuffled around the lineup recently, took the leadoff position and boasts 12 home runs and 44 RBIs this season with a batting average of .239. Following the loss, Giants manager Bob Melvin expressed his disappointment, stating, “This is probably as bad a loss as we’ve had.” Matt Chapman, who leads the team with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs, batted cleanup on Sunday, ending the game with a 1-3 performance. Heliot Ramos, expected to rest, was called upon as a pinch hitter, contributing to his season totals of 20 home runs and 65 RBIs.
Kyle Harrison, the 23-year-old left-hander, will also make his 24th start in this matchup. He holds a 7-6 record, with the team going 2-3 in his last five outings. Harrison’s ERA is 4.22, with 115 strikeouts, 41 walks, and 17 home runs allowed throughout the season. In his last start, he struggled, lasting only 4.2 innings while giving up five earned runs to the Brewers.
Betting Insights for Diamondbacks vs. Giants
The Diamondbacks are currently leading the Wild Card race in the National League, but they cannot afford to be complacent, as several teams are hot on their heels. After facing setbacks against the Mets and Dodgers, Arizona understands the importance of securing wins, especially against a team like San Francisco that is struggling. Ryne Nelson’s recent performances have been solid, as he has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last four starts.
On the other hand, the Giants are battling confidence issues, having just lost to a low-ranked Marlins team. With Harrison on the mound, San Francisco is relying on a young pitcher who has shown signs of fatigue as the season progresses. He has allowed five or more earned runs in two of his last five outings and has not completed six innings in any of those games. Given the current dynamics, the Diamondbacks appear poised to capitalize on the Giants’ struggles in this matchup.
