The first 2 games of this series were both slugfests. Arizona won the opener 11-4 by knocking Casey Mize out after 7 runs in 4 innings. San Diego answered with 10 runs in the rematch. The D-backs have scored at least 5 runs in 4 of their last 5 games, including a 12-8 win at Coors. That lineup is hot, and it's heading into a bullpen that won't be using its October arms.
The injury news hurts Arizona more over the next month than it does today. Corbin Burnes went on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation on September 25, and the bullpen has already lost A.J. Puk, Ryan Thompson, Andrew Saalfrank and Cristian Mena for the year. That makes a deep Soroka start worth a lot. Gabriel Moreno is day-to-day but went 1-for-4 with 2 RBI against Colorado, so he's playing through it. San Diego is still without Musgrove, Giolito, Laureano and Rengifo. None of that matters much on a day when the Padres are likely to keep their core rested.
Petco looks like a neutral park this afternoon: 78 degrees, cloudy and a 5 mph breeze. Arizona is playing a must-win game against a club with nothing on the line. The Padres went 50-30 at home this year and have what MLB.com calls the best bullpen in baseball, but they have every reason to save that bullpen for Tuesday.