Jordan Montgomery aims to get the D-backs back in the win column

The Arizona Diamondbacks have another crucial must-win series, only this time against the youthful Washington Nationals. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. local Arizona time and features a battle of left-handed starters.

The Arizona Diamondbacks lost a heartbreaking game to the Pirates on Sunday afternoon after Paul Sewald’s final blowout save and Justin Martinez’s struggles in the 10th inning led to four runs scored. The team tried its best to come back and scored three runs, but came up just short.

The D-backs are 55-51 and just 0.5 games behind the New York Mets for the third NL Wild Card spot. They are one game behind the Padres for second and 2.5 games behind the Braves for first.

They have a substantial +26 run differential and are 6-4 in their last ten games. In addition, they have won their last four series and have won or split their last eight series, a remarkable stretch. In fact, they have won or split 14 of their last 16 series.

The Nationals have signaled that they are now sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline, which closes at 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon local time in Arizona. They are 50-55 and 6.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. However, they have won just two of three against the tough St. Louis Cardinals.

The Nationals are 5-5 in their last ten games and -35 in run differential. The D-backs won two of three games in Washington DC last June and will look to do the same here as they need to win every series they can.

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a roster change before the game, recalling reliever Slade Cecconi and sending starter Yilber Diaz to cover the bullpen.

LHP Jordan Montgomery, 7-5, 6.11 ERA, 4.31 FIP, 47 strikeouts in 70.2 innings

Montgomery is making just his second start since returning from the Injured List. He excelled in his first start against the Kansas City Royals early last week, pitching five innings and allowing weak contact, three hits, one run, one walk and two strikeouts while picking up the win.

The D-backs are 9-5 in games in which Montgomery starts. Montgomery has pitched better than his ERA would indicate, as his FIP is nearly two runs lower and 27 of his 48 earned runs have been allowed in just four of his 14 starts.

Montgomery has fared much better against left-handed batters than he has against right-handed batters. Lefties are hitting just .217 with an OPS of .548. Righties, on the other hand, are hitting .329 with an OPS of .911.

It will be interesting to see how Montgomery does at Chase Field, as he has struggled mightily all year. In his eight games and 35.2 innings, he has a disastrous 7.82 ERA and has given up 54 hits, 16 walks and 27 strikeouts.

However, in wins he has been excellent. If the team wants to win today, Montgomery will have to pitch well, which he has done in his seven wins with a 2.43 ERA in those 40.2 innings.

LHP Mitchell Parker, 5-6, 4.34 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 81 strikeouts in 95.1 innings

Parker started the season strong with a 3.32 ERA on July 1. Since July 1, however, he has struggled mightily. In his last four starts and 16.2 innings, he has a 9.18 ERA and a 5.97 FIP with 21 hits, 18 runs, six walks and 18 strikeouts. Three times, he has given up five or more runs.

Parker has some interesting reverse splits, as he dominated right-handed batters but struggled against lefties. Righties bat only .228, but hit .407 with a .689 OPS. Lefites bat a much higher .294, but have a .723 OPS.

Parker has struggled more on foreign soil than at home, posting a 4.91 ERA over 47.2 innings with 49 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks and 41 strikeouts.

Mitchell Parker throws four different pitches, a four seamer, curveball, split finger and slider. The four seamer is hit the hardest with an average of .260 and slugs at .418. His split finger is his best pitch and is hit for an average of .206 and slugs only .368.

Jake McCarthy gets the start over Corbin Carroll in right field, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since McCarthy is pretty good against lefties. This is his third straight start, and he went 5-for-5 on Saturday alone. He’s batted .371 against lefties with an .878 OPS.

Torey Lovullo made it clear that the choice of McCarthy over Carroll tonight was a matchup decision, and had nothing to do with seeking days off.

Ketel Marte is looking to add to his MLB home run tally against lefties, having already hit 14, along with 33 RBIs and nine doubles, for a .352 average and an OPS of 1.116.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is back in the lineup after a day off. He is hitting .331 against left-handed pitching. Randal Grichuk starts at DH and is hitting .289 with an OPS of .760 against lefties.

Christian Walker will be looking to get back on track after a slump since July 4. In his last 19 games, he’s batted just .183 with a .568 OPS and just two doubles and a home run. He’s hit 12 times, while striking out 24. The D-backs will need to get Walker’s bat going.