Pirates at Diamondbacks
The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to sweep their first three-game road series since 2011 when they meet the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday afternoon. The Pirates managed eight runs in their first six games this season, getting shut out twice, but have exploded for 11 runs in their last two games. They’ve been receiving great production from lead-off hitter Starling Marte, who has led off the last four games with a single and is batting a team-high .313. He has strung together four multi-hit games, scoring five runs in that span.
Arizona is also getting solid results from the top of its order. Gerardo Parra is hitting a team-leading .361 and is tied for the league lead with five doubles. The Diamondbacks were playing stellar defense, committing one error in its first seven games for a National League-leading .997 fielding percentage, but committed two Tuesday. The Pirates best weapon has been their bullpen. The relievers have combined to allow six earned runs in 26 innings with closer Jason Grilli picking up three saves.
TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona, ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jonathan Sanchez (0-1, 5.40) vs. Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (1-0, 1.50)
Sanchez has made more starts against Arizona than any other major league team (17), bringing a 7-7 lifetime record against the Diamondbacks into the game and a 4.88 ERA. He has also allowed more home runs (15) and issued more walks (53) against Arizona than any other opponent. Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero appears to see the ball well against Sanchez. He has five hits in 12 at-bats against the left-hander, including two home runs. Paul Goldschmidt faced Sanchez for the only time in his career last July and homered in the 6-3 victory.
Miley, the runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year last season, opened his sophomore campaign in impressive style, allowing one run and five hits in a 3-1 victory at Milwaukee on Friday. He doesn’t have much history against the Pirates, but what he has shown is notable. He did not allow an earned run in six innings in Pittsburgh last August, but the Diamondbacks' offense failed to support him in the 4-0 loss. He has been particularly strong in day games during his brief career, owning a 6-0 record in six career starts and a 1.64 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. The last time the Pirates swept a three-game series on the road was July 14-16, 2011 against the Houston Astros.
2. Diamondbacks 2B Aaron Hill has reached base safely in all eight games this season.
3. Arizona pitchers have struck out a major-league leading 82 batters this season.