Brewers (42-53) @ Diamondbacks (43-50) series preview

The D-Backs have been predictably terrible this year. They had one more win than the Brewers and three fewer losses, but they've also played two fewer games. They've been as bad as the Brewers.

Their offense ranks around the middle (16th in MLB) with a 95 wRC+. But factor in their defense and their position players have actually produced quite well (7th in baseball with a 13.6 fWAR).

Their pitching ranks near the bottom (25th in fWAR) with a combined 4.18 ERA and 4.15 FIP. Their starting pitchers have been a good deal worse than their bullpen. Their rotation has combined for 4.68 ERA and 4.42 FIP. That ranks 28th in baseball with a 3.1 fWAR (even worse than the Brewers 4.0 fWAR). Their bullpen has combined for a 3.38 ERA and 3.71 FIP which ranks 18th with a 1.6 fWAR.

Offensive Spotlight

Were you expecting anyone other than Paul Goldschmidt. He'd be a good bet for MVP if the Diamondbacks were so awful and Bryce Harper wasn't a thing. He's hitting 343/456/603 (182 wRC+) on the season. That's insane production. He has 21 home runs and 17 stolen bases as well. He's a first baseman that is easily a 20/20 guy and potentially a 30/30 guy. That doesn't happen often at any position but at first base it's unheard of.

Pitching Match-Ups

Thursday July 23, 8:40 pm CST: Mike Fiers vs Zack Godley

Godley will be making a spot start for the D-Backs on Friday. He's split this season between A+ and AA and it's hard to find info out on him. At 25 years old he appears to be a fringey prospect at best.

Friday July 24, 8:40 pm CST: Jimmy Nelson vs Patrick Corbin (LHP)

It's somewhat surprising to see Corbin pitching again this year as he suffered a partially torn UCL earlier this year. After a rehab stint though he has rejoined the major league club. In three starts he's pitched 15 innings to a 4.80 ERA and 5.40 FIP. His velocity appears normal but he is missing outside the strike zone slightly more than usual.

He throws a fastball (92-93), slider, and change-up.

Saturday July 25, 7:10 pm CST: Taylor Jungmann vs Rubby De La Rosa

De La Rosa was traded to Arizona this offseason and the change in scenery has done nothing to help his home run problem. His peripherals are decent (20.2 K%, 6.9 BB%, 1.32 WHIP) but his 1.69 HR/9 is pretty awful.

He throws a fastball (93-95), slider, change-up, and sparingly a curveball.

Sunday July 26, 3:10 pm CST: Matt Garza vs Jeremy Hellickson

Hellickson appears to have a similar problem to De La Rosa. His 19.6 K%, 6.2 BB%, and 1.33 WHIP are almost identical. His home run problem is severe but slightly less so (1.24 HR/9).

He throws a fastball (90-91), change-up, and curveball.

Statistics courtesy of FanGraphs