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Diamondbacks Go for Sweep Against Slumping Giants: A Crucial Showdown
The Arizona Diamondbacks are on the verge of sweeping the San Francisco Giants in their three-game series. As the Diamondbacks aim for a clean sweep, all eyes are on Jordan Montgomery, who seeks to redeem himself after a tough outing. Meanwhile, the Giants are grappling with a six-game losing streak and looking for a turnaround.
Jordan Montgomery’s Challenges and Redemption
Season Struggles for Jordan Montgomery
Jordan Montgomery’s season has been rocky, holding a 3-3 record with a 5.48 ERA. His latest outing against the New York Mets saw him give up eight runs (six earned) in just four innings, marking his second rough performance in eight starts this season.
Impact of Missed Spring Training
Montgomery’s late signing with the Diamondbacks in March meant he missed essential spring training. This lack of preparation time has hindered his ability to build arm strength and perform at his best.
Previous Career Highlights
Despite current struggles, Montgomery’s past performance, including a 2.79 ERA in the regular season and a 2.90 ERA in the postseason with the Texas Rangers, shows his potential to bounce back.
Insights from Arizona’s Management
Manager Torey Lovullo’s Perspective
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo attributes Montgomery’s difficulties to missing spring training. Lovullo emphasizes the importance of this period for building both individual and team readiness.
Montgomery’s Performance Against the Giants
Montgomery has a solid track record against the Giants, with a 1.96 ERA in three career starts. His strong performance earlier this season, where he allowed just one run over six innings, provides optimism for his upcoming start.
The Giants’ Struggles
Six-Game Losing Streak
The Giants are enduring their longest losing streak of the season, now at six games. Manager Bob Melvin voiced his frustration after their 8-5 loss on Tuesday, particularly criticizing their early game performance.
Offensive Difficulties
In the recent loss, the Giants managed only six hits and left nine runners on base. Their struggle with runners in scoring position (2-for-10) highlights their current offensive woes.
The Pitching Matchup: Montgomery vs. Hicks
Jordan Montgomery’s Redemption Shot
Montgomery aims to bounce back from his challenging performance against the Mets. His previous success against the Giants this season, where he allowed only one run over six innings, is a positive sign.
Jordan Hicks’ Role
Jordan Hicks, pitching for the Giants, is coming off a loss to the New York Yankees where he allowed five runs over 5 1/3 innings. However, Hicks has shown resilience, allowing one earned run or fewer in seven of his 12 starts this season.
Key Players to Watch
Diamondbacks
- Jake McCarthy and Christian Walker: Both hitters have found success against Hicks, each with a home run off him.
- Jordan Montgomery: His ability to regain form and control the game will be crucial for the Diamondbacks.
Giants
- Mike Yastrzemski: His recent pinch-hit, three-run homer indicates potential to energize the Giants’ offense.
- Thairo Estrada: Returning from a thumb injury, Estrada’s performance could significantly impact the Giants’ lineup.
Conclusion
The series finale presents a critical opportunity for the Diamondbacks to secure a sweep and for Jordan Montgomery to showcase his resilience. For the Giants, breaking their losing streak will require overcoming offensive struggles and a strong performance from Jordan Hicks. This matchup promises to be a compelling conclusion to the series, with both teams facing pivotal moments in their seasons.
