Diamondbacks at Brewers
The Arizona Diamondbacks hope to ignite their dormant offense as they continue a nine-game road trip Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a three-game series between a pair of National League division leaders. The Diamondbacks have lost four in a row and 10 of their last 11 contests, managing just 22 runs in that stretch, to see their lead over Colorado in the NL West shrink to one-half game.
Arizona was the victim of a three-game sweep by the New York Mets on the first leg of its trek, collecting six singles while giving up four runs over the sixth and seventh innings in Sunday's 4-1 loss as it fell to 11-9 overall on the road after winning 10 of its first 14 away from home. The Diamondbacks’ only win in their last 11 games was a 2-1 triumph over Milwaukee on Tuesday, when Zack Greinke allowed one run over six innings in a no-decision, and the veteran faces his former team again Monday while Chase Anderson gets the nod for the Brewers. Milwaukee, which leads the NL Central, was unable to complete a three-game sweep of Minnesota over the weekend as it fell 3-1 in Sunday's finale but still has won seven of its last 10 contests. Jesus Aguilar has been red-hot for the Brewers of late, belting four homers and knocking in six runs over his last three games while hitting safely in five straight (8-for-19) to raise his batting average to .333.
TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (3-2, 3.46 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Chase Anderson (3-3, 3.97)
Greinke has allowed fewer than two runs in five of his nine starts, including each of the last three - a stretch during which he did not receive a decision while surrendering 13 hits over 18 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old Floridian has recorded four quality starts over his last six outings and registered 58 strikeouts while issuing only seven walks in 54 2/3 frames this season. Aguilar is 2-for-5 with a double and a homer versus Greinke, who is 1-3 with a 3.75 ERA in seven career games (six starts) against Milwaukee.
Anderson returns from the disabled list after sitting out two weeks due to an illness to make his ninth start of the season and vie for his fourth win in six appearances. The 30-year-old Texan has given up nine runs on 11 hits - three homers - and six walks over 10 2/3 innings in his last two starts following his longest outing of the season - a seven-frame effort in which he yielded just one run in a loss to the Chicago Cubs. Nick Ahmed is 2-for-5 against Anderson, who is 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA in four career games versus Arizona.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt is 36-for-79 with 10 doubles, seven homers and 20 RBIs in 20 career games at Miller Park.
2. The Brewers have won all 16 games in which LHP Josh Hader has pitched, and the 24-year-old has recorded 56 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings.
3. The Diamondbacks have committed the fewest amount of errors in the major leagues (14) while Milwaukee has made 32, which is tied for second-to-last in the NL.