Arizona Diamondbacks at Miami Marlins series primer
A new era will begin on Monday when the Miami Marlins continue their 10-game homestand with Dan Jennings as the manager.
The Marlins (16-22) host the Arizona Diamondbacks (15-21) for a four-game series. Miami got swept by the Atlanta Braves over the weekend and have lost 10 of 14, dropping within a half game of last in the National League East.
To begin its roadtrip, Arizona fell three times in a row to the Philadelphia Phillies and have just two wins in its last nine contests.
Veteran Dan Haren, who opens the series, has been Miami's most consistent starter -- until last week's return to Los Angeles. He surrendered six runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings. It hiked his ERA from 2.68 to 3.70. Five of his seven outings have been quality starts. Righty Rubby De La Rosa has gone seven innings in back-to-back starts, winning both. He allowed four runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and two walks against the Washington Nationals in his most recent.
Jarred Cosart left his start in Los Angeles with a tight left hamstring but will start Tuesday's matchup. After going eight shutout innings on April 27 against the New York Mets, Cosart has failed to record a quality start. The righty is 0-2 with a 6.91 ERA in his past three outings. Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson hasn't fared much better in three consecutive no decisions, posting a 6.89 ERA. The D-backs have lost all three of those contests.
Since joining the rotation, righty David Phelps is 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA in six starts. His consistency and Henderson Alvarez's return has pushed Tom Koehler into a relief role. Phelps has thrown at least six frames in his past five outings, including this past weekend against the Braves. He gave up three runs (one earned) with eight strikeouts. Chase Anderson has kicked off his sophomore campaign with four quality starts. He has given up three earned runs or fewer in all but one start, but has factored into just one decision. In Philadelphia, he limited the Phillies to one run on three hits with three strikeouts and three walks in 5 1/3.
Righty Mat Latos is still scheduled to pitch Thursday's finale despite exiting his last start on Saturday with a left shin contusion. Latos has a 2.73 ERA in five starts against ballclubs that are not the Atlanta Braves. In late April, rookie Archie Bradley took a liner to the face. In his return to the mound, he surrendered four runs on five hits and three walks in just two innings against the Phillies.
Here's a look at the upcoming Diamondbacks-Marlins four-game series:
SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHERS
WHO'S HOT
INF Chris Owings (D-backs): Owings' multi-hit game streak was snapped at five on Sunday in Philadelphia, but he is still hitting .481 (13 for 27) over his past six contests. He has six runs, two doubles and a triple during that span.
RF Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins): This past week will go down as one of the more prolific ones in terms of home run distance. From the out-of-the-park long ball in Dodger Stadium to the dinger inside the camera well in straightaway center at Marlins Park, Stanton has put on a show. But he has been streaky. The more consistent bat would be Dee Gordon, whose average is still over .400.
WHO'S NOT
RF Mark Trumbo (D-backs): Since collecting two hits on May 12, Trumbo is 2 for 11 with two runs, three walks, five strikeouts and no extra-base hits or RBI. After posting a .319 average in April, he has a .222 clip in May.
LF Christian Yelich (Marlins): Since returning from the disabled list on May 8, Yelich is 4 for 28 (.143) with two runs, a two-run homer, four walks and 10 strikeouts. He has gone hitless in five of eight games. Yelich is still searching for his swing, which garnered him a $49 million extension this spring.
STORYLINES
2: Saves for the Diamondbacks, fewest in the majors
.356: Average for Jordan Pacheco in 15 games (nine starts) against the Marlins. He is 16 for 45 with five runs, one double, one homer and five RBI.
30: Games out of 35 that Dee Gordon has recorded a hit in. He paces the big leagues in hits (63) and average (.420).
.188: Average for Paul Goldschmidt against Dan Haren. He is 3 for 16 with a homer and a strikeout.
QUOTE BOARD
"Got to regroup. Ups and downs of a season. We've got to bounce back." -- Christian Yelich on where the club goes from Sunday's near no-hit, managerial dismissal
"Extremely frustrating because as I said there's supreme confidence in those players in the room, but whenever you make a change in manager you need to look in the mirror. Everybody needs to look in the mirror: our players, me, our front office, 'cause we aren't playing the way we're capable of playing." -- President of baseball operations Michael Hill on relieving manager Mike Redmond
"I felt off a little bit at the beginning. I had trouble with my control with the fastball. But once I settled down in the third inning I felt in control going forward." -- Right-hander Henderson Alvarez on his return to the mound after being reinstated from the disabled list
PROMOTIONS & GIVEAWAYS
May 18 -- Marlins Ayudan Partner Elementary Schools Night; Monday Madness Group Offer; South Florida Heroes Monday; All You Can Eat Seats
May 19 -- Marlins Ayudan Partner Middle Schools Night; Miami Herald Half Price Tuesday
May 20 -- Chevron Crazy 8's Wednesday; Kids Eat Free Wednesday Night; Marlins Ayudan Partner High Schools Night
May 21 -- Marlins Foundation Fish N' Chips Casino Night (postgame); Seniors Free Ticket Thursday presented by Wellmax Medical Centers; Subway Restaurants $5 Ticket Offer; Weather Day
LOOKING AHEAD
The Marlins conclude a 10-game homestand with the Baltimore Orioles. The O's visit Marlins Park for the first time.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
