Zac Gallen (3-6, 6.10 ERA) gets the ball for Arizona while Nick Martinez (6-2, 2.73 ERA) toes the rubber for Tampa Bay — and the gap between those 2 lines is not subtle. First pitch is at 7:10 PM ET from Tropicana Field.
Gallen's season has turned into one of the harder-to-watch stories in the NL. His last time out against the Twins on June 20, he lasted just 4 innings, surrendered 12 hits and 9 earned runs, and got booed off the mound at Chase Field by his own fans. His 6.10 ERA is the worst mark in baseball. Arizona signed him to a 1-year deal worth over $22 million this offseason to anchor a staff that's now missing Corbin Burnes (elbow, shut down for the season), Ryne Nelson (elbow), and Michael Soroka (glute) — and that's the only reason Gallen is still in the rotation. There's simply no one else.
Tampa Bay has been the opposite story. The Rays went 4-1 against Kansas City this week, capping the series with a 13-2 rout on Thursday. At 45-33 they're playing like a genuine playoff contender, and Martinez has been one of their most reliable contributors — a 1-year, $13 million signing who's pitching like a bargain. He's held opponents to 3 or fewer earned runs in 5 of his last 7 starts, and his 2.73 ERA stands as a stark contrast to what Arizona is rolling out on the other side.
- Day-To-DayA.J. Vukovich CF — no
- Day-To-DayDerek Law RP — no
- Day-To-DayKyle Amendt RP — Amendt was invited to major-league spring training by the Diamondbacks, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
- 10-Day-ILJordan Lawlar LF — The Diamondbacks placed Lawlar on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a right hamstring strain.
- 10-Day-ILJames McCann C — McCann (quadriceps) is expected to begin playing in complex league games next week, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILMichael Soroka SP — The Diamondbacks placed Soroka on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a strained left glute.
- developmental listJuan Centeno C — The Diamondbacks re-assigned Centeno to minor-league camp Friday.
- 60-Day-ILRyne Nelson SP — The Diamondbacks transferred Nelson (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.
- Day-To-DayTre' Morgan 1B — no
- Day-To-DayLogan Davidson 1B — Davidson signed a minor-league contract with Tampa Bay on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
- Day-To-DayAustin Vernon RP — The Rays have shut Vernon down from throwing due to right elbow soreness, per MLB.com.
- Day-To-DayAlfredo Zarraga RP — no
- 10-Day-ILJake Fraley RF — Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Fraley (hernia) will require surgery and will face a recovery timeline of 6-to-8 weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
- developmental listLuis Guerrero RP — The Rays acquired Guerrero from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Tristan Gray.
- 15-Day-ILSteven Matz SP — The Rays placed Matz on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left ankle sprain.
- 15-Day-ILJesse Scholtens RP — Scholtens was charged with a blown save and dropped to 5-3 on the season in Monday's 9-7 loss to the Orioles in 13 innings after yielding five runs (three earned) on four hits across 1.1 frames. He struck out one batter.
Arizona's injury situation on the mound is legitimately grim. Four starting pitchers are on the 60-day IL — Burnes was shut down after a teres major strain, A.J. Puk has a capsule strain, and both Blake Walston and Cristian Mena are out long-term. The Diamondbacks have enough lineup talent to scratch out wins, but this matchup gives Gallen almost no margin for error: if he doesn't get through 5 innings, Arizona is burning a bullpen that's already stretched thin behind a starting staff in crisis. Meanwhile, Martinez has the kind of profile that keeps scorecards clean deep into games. The Rays at home, with their best available starter going, are the side of this game that requires the least amount of faith.