When the Diamondbacks and Orioles open a three-game series Monday at Chase Field, it will be a meeting of one team chasing from second place -- the D-backs -- and another from third place.
Yet at 65-52 and 4 1/2 games out of first place in the stacked AL East, the Orioles are playing on a different level, posing the D-backs' latest challenge as they try to stay in the NL West race behind the scorching Dodgers.
Adding to the challenge was a rough weekend that saw the D-backs drop two of three to the Mets and lose two key offensive contributors and clubhouse leaders in Eric Chavez (knee) and Cody Ross (hip).
"It will be a tough regroup for us, but we'll have do so, because the Orioles are a very good team," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said.
The good news for the Diamondbacks is that they've got their two hottest starters going in the series, with Wade Miley starting Monday and Patrick Corbin going Wednesday. Here's a look at what to watch for in the series:
PITCHING MATCHUPS: Monday -- LHP Wade Miley (9-8, 3.56 ERA) vs. RHP Scott Feldman (9-9, 4.10). Tuesday -- RHP Randall Delgado (4-3, 3.48) vs. RHP Miguel Gonzalez (8-5, 3.91). Wednesday -- LHP Patrick Corbin (12-3, 2.36) vs. RHP Chris Tillman (14-3, 3.73).
WHO'S HOT FOR THE D-BACKS: Monday starter Wade Miley has not given up more than three runs in a game since May 31 but has been particularly dominant his last three starts. In those outings, Miley is 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA, having surrendered just two runs over 21 total innings. … Wednesday starter Patrick Corbin has made six straight quality starts. He allowed just one run in four of those starts and owns a 1.99 ERA in that stretch despite taking two losses. … Despite going 0 for 5 on Sunday, third baseman Martin Prado has still been on quite a tear. Over his past 20 games, Prado is batting .372 with nine doubles, two home runs and 15 RBI.
WHO'S NOT: Tuesday starter Randall Delgado owns a 6.55 ERA over his past two starts. In 11 innings over those two starts, Delgado gave up 10 runs (eight earned) on 14 hits, including three home runs. … Shortstop Didi Gregorius remains in a troubling funk. The rookie has one hit in his last 20 at-bats and has just two RBI since June 27, including none since his two-RBI game July 13. … First baseman Paul Goldschmidt has notched five RBI and three home runs in August but is hitting .219 (7 for 32) for the month.
WHO'S HOT FOR THE ORIOLES: Outfielder Adam Jones is on a tear in the month of August. In nine games, he's batting .472 with four doubles, two home runs, 11 RBI and a .487 on-base percentage. … After a slow start out of the All-Star break, slugging first baseman Chris Davis is heating up again. He's hitting .257 with 10 RBI, four home runs and three doubles in August. … Shortstop J.J. Hardy has six RBI and three home runs in his past six games.
WHO'S NOT: Monday starter Scott Feldman has an 8.39 ERA over his past two starts, both losses. Since being acquired from the Cubs on July 2, Feldman is 2-3 with a 5.70 ERA. … Since being acquired from the Brewers on July 24, reliever Francisco Rodriguez has allowed at least a run in three of his six outings. He owns a 6.00 ERA in that stretch. … Nick Markakis is batting .250 (9 for 36) in August with two RBI and no extra-base hits.
NOTES, QUOTES, ODD AND ENDS: D-backs outfielder Cody Ross left Sunday's game on a cart after tripping on his way to first base, dislocating his right hip. Further tests will be done to see if Ross needs surgery, but he is likely lost for the season no matter what. … Look for 22-year-old third baseman Matt Davidson to get a start in the series, perhaps Monday, after getting called up to the majors for the first time Sunday. Davidson, one of the D-backs' top prospects, was batting .278 with 16 homers and 68 RBI with Triple-A Reno and last month took MVP honors at the All-Star Futures Game. He made his debut Sunday when Prado moved to left field to replace Ross. Davidson singled in the sixth inning for his first major league hit. … Davidson takes veteran Eric Chavez's place on the roster. Chavez went on the disabled list Sunday with a left knee strain. … Other than reserve outfielder Steve Pearce, who has played minimally since coming off the disabled list August 1, no Orioles hitter has faced Wade Miley or Patrick Corbin. Pearce has faced both. … Feldman will pitch on eight days' rest Monday after the Orioles skipped his last start.
