Diamondbacks at Mets
The Arizona Diamondbacks did not have much luck against playoff contenders from the American League last week, but the schedule lightens up a tad as they continue their road trip. The Diamondbacks will try to snap a three-game slide when they visit the fading New York Mets on Monday for the opener of their four-game series.
Arizona is sitting in the No. 2 spot in the National League wild-card race, one game behind Colorado and 2 1/2 ahead of Milwaukee, but has lost 11 of its last 15 contests after going 2-5 against Houston and Minnesota. "Teams go through stretches like this," Diamondbacks left-hander T.J. McFarland told reporters after retiring only one batter in his start on Sunday that led to a 12-5 loss. "I don't think anybody is too worried in here. We have a great group of guys. We have an offense, we have pitching. We're going to come back. ... We've got a series ahead of us in New York, and that's all we're thinking about, is tomorrow's game." The Mets went 1-6 last week against the New York Yankees and Miami to fall to 6-13 this month. The Mets send Robert Gsellman to the mound on Monday opposite Arizona's Taijuan Walker.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Taijuan Walker (6-7, 3.83 ERA) vs. Mets RH Robert Gsellman (5-5, 5.98)
Walker is looking for his first win since June 21 and has failed to record an out in the seventh inning in any of his last seven turns. The 25-year-old was reached for five runs - three earned - on nine hits and a pair of walks over five frames of a loss at Houston on Wednesday. Walker, who is 4-4 with a 3.30 ERA in 11 road outings this season, took the loss in his only career start against the Mets on July 23, 2014 after giving up two runs on two hits and six walks over five innings.
Gsellman returned to the majors on Wednesday and allowed three runs - two earned - on four hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings of a no-decision against the Yankees. The 24-year-old surrendered one home run in that outing and has served up 14 in 81 1/3 frames this season. Gsellman worked an inning of relief at Arizona on May 17 and blew a save opportunity by allowing one run.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets RHP Matt Harvey (shoulder) is scheduled to make a rehab start at Double-A Binghamton on Monday.
2. Arizona LF Daniel Descalso pitched a scoreless inning of relief on Sunday.
3. New York rookie 1B Dominic Smith is 1-for-16 in his last five games.