Diamondbacks rotation and bullpen pressure
The Arizona Diamondbacks face pitching instability as Zac Gallen posts a 6.10 ERA amid injuries to Mike Soroka, Corbin Burnes, and Ryne Nelson. Torey Lovullo must manage a bullpen tasked with heavy innings to support the team's 86-76 record.
The Arizona Diamondbacks face significant pitching instability as the postseason approaches. Zac Gallen produces a 6.10 ERA in 16 starts this season and holds a -1.3 bWAR. This marks a steep decline from his 2.54 ERA in 2022, 3.47 ERA in 2023, 3.65 ERA in 2024, and 4.83 ERA in 2025. The rotation lacks depth because Mike Soroka, Corbin Burnes, and Ryne Nelson are all currently injured, which leaves only Eduardo Rodriguez, Merrill Kelly, and Jose Cabrera as healthy starters. These gaps force Torey Lovullo to manage a bullpen that must cover heavy innings to support an 86-76 record. The Diamondbacks sit 14.0 games behind the Dodgers, who have 100 wins, and 35.0 games ahead of the Giants, who have 65 wins. The Rockies sit 42.0 games behind the leader. Can the pitching staff stabilize before the season ends? You know these roster holes demand immediate bullpen management. The bullpen must shoulder more responsibility because the starters cannot finish games. TJ Nichols and Chandler Murphy combined for only 5.2 innings in the first two games of the ASU series.
Athletics player performance
The Athletics struggle with a 64-98 record and sit 17.0 games behind the leader in the AL West. Nick Kurtz earns a starting bid in the All-Star Game as the "Best Overall" player. He provides 20 home runs and 66 RBIs, even as he is in a slump with a .266 average and a .902 OPS. Shea Langeliers follows Kurtz with 42 RBIs. J.T. Ginn maintains a 7-6 record with a 3.67 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, but he had a recent implosion against the White Sox after allowing only 13 home runs. Luis Medina shows strength with a 3.59 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, allowing only three hits and zero runs in his last 5.2 innings across four outings. Hogan Harris posts a 3.4 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. Medina’s WHIP of 1.45 is lower than the 1.55 posted by Hogan Harris.
| Player | Stat | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Kurtz | AVG | .266 |
| Nick Kurtz | HR | 20 |
| J.T. Ginn | ERA | 3.67 |
| Luis Medina | ERA | 3.59 |
Umpire rule enforcement in Arizona
Chip Hale watched the conclusion of a 14-4 win over ASU from the team video room after an ejection in the 5th inning. Home plate umpire Jeffrey Macias tossed Hale following an exchange about Chase Davis. Davis stood still when a pitch from Jacob Walker hit his right leg, prompting the umpire to enforce rules requiring a hitter to attempt to avoid a pitch. Hale argued the situation involved balls and strikes. Arizona starter Garrett Irvin allowed three runs and six hits over six innings to improve to 4-2. The team is 24-8 when Irvin starts. Daniel Susac recorded his 25th multi-hit game with two hits, two walks, three RBI, and three runs scored, including a 2-run home run in the 1st inning. Susac hits .462 with three home runs and 11 RBI immediately after a hitless game because he relies on a mindset developed from playing with his older brothers. Tanner O’Tremba went 3 for 5 with three RBI and recorded nine hits in 15 at-bats during the series. Mac Bingham improved his conference-best batting average to .376. Arizona scored seven runs in the 7th inning following five walks, a hit batter, and a wild pitch, while Nate Baez hit a 3-run home run in the 3rd inning. The 3,583 fans at Hi Corbett Field watched the game unfold.
