Game 61 Thread: Marlins vs Diamondbacks

The Miami Marlins and the Arizona Diamondbacks will meet for the first game of a three game weekend series tonight at Chase Field. These two squads have met already this season, as the Marlins swept a three game series against the Diamondbacks at Marlins Park in May.

Don Mattingly will send Justin Nicolino to the mound tonight. This year, Nicolino is 2-3 with 18 strikeouts, and he sports a 1.40 WHIP. In one start against Arizona this year, Nicolino allowed 7 hits and he gave four runs, but he still picked up the win.

Nicolino will get to face a Diamondbacks that struggles mightily at home. Arizona is 10-22 at home, which other than Atlanta (6-23), is the worst home record in baseball. However, three time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt is beginning to heat up for the D-backs. Goldschmidt is hitting .367 with five doubles, three home runs, and 11 RBIS over his last 14 games. The struggles at home aren’t just at the plate, but they are also on the mound.

Arizona has a 5.55 home ERA this year, which will spell a lot of trouble for them, since the Marlins have won the last five series’ against Arizona. D-backs manager Chip Hale will send Patrick Corbin to the mound tonight. Corbin is 3-5 this season with 52 strikeouts, and he’s posted a 1.36 WHIP this season.

The Marlins slugged a season high 18 hits against Minnesota on Thursday, in a 10-3 win for Miami. Miami has gotten offensive production from a lot of players, but not from superstar Giancarlo Stanton. In his last 24 games, Stanton is batting .114 with two homers and five RBIS.

He has also struck out 43 times, including going 0-5 with four strikeouts. Fellow outfielder Marcell Ozuna has put himself into All-Star consideration. Ozuna is hitting .324 with 11 doubles, 11 home runs, and 34 RBIS. Ozuna had seven hits in the last series against Minnesota, and it was the same for Ichiro. Ichiro is 27 hits away from joining the elusive 3,000 hits club.

Prediction: Marlins defeat D-backs, 3-1