The Arizona Diamondbacks will aim to improve their season record on Friday as they kick off a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals in Phoenix, marking the conclusion of their final homestand before the All-Star break.
The Diamondbacks began their recent homestand two games over .500 but have since suffered a setback, now sitting at 43-44 after a sweep by the Miami Marlins and only managing to split a four-game series with the San Francisco Giants. The recent series with the Giants was particularly frustrating for Arizona, where, despite strong performances in the first two games, they were unable to maintain momentum.
In their last eight games, the Diamondbacks have showcased significant offensive power, scoring 41 runs, but have only claimed two victories from these outings. They demonstrated their hitting prowess with 10 home runs and a total of 19 runs scored during the Giants series. Manager Torey Lovullo expressed a mix of satisfaction and frustration, acknowledging the team’s potential while also recognizing moments where they failed to capitalize, stating, “Overall, I’m satisfied… we’re scoring a bunch of runs offensively.”
Eugenio Suarez continued to shine, adding to his performance with a solo home run that brings his tally to 27 home runs this season, a remarkable feat in just 85 games. Over the last 12 games, he boasts a .361 batting average with six homers and 12 RBIs.
On the pitching side, Eduardo Rodriguez (3-4, 5.13 ERA) will take the mound for the Diamondbacks on Friday against Kansas City’s Kris Bubic (6-6, 2.25) in a showdown of left-handers. Rodriguez recently allowed just one run in 5 1/3 innings during a no-decision against the Marlins. Historically, he has fared well against the Royals, holding a 4-2 record with a 4.09 ERA in 10 previous appearances.
Conversely, the Royals have struggled lately, winning only 3 of their last 12 games, but they did manage to secure a narrow 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. However, they face uncertainty as catcher Salvador Perez left the game due to a calf injury, and his availability for Friday’s game is uncertain.
Star player Bobby Witt Jr. continues to be a bright spot for Kansas City. The reigning American League batting champion is hitting .289 with a team-leading slugging percentage of .488. He recently set a Royals record with a 23-game road hitting streak, surpassing a record that stood since the 1982-83 seasons. Interestingly, Witt has performed considerably better on the road, batting .320 compared to .257 at home.
As both teams look to bounce back, the series presents opportunities for renewed momentum heading into the second half of the season. The performance of key players like Suarez and Witt will be vital as they seek to turn their fortunes around.