The Arizona Diamondbacks are back home to start a two-game series against the Texas Rangers. Monday’s game starts at 6:40 p.m. and can be seen on YurView AZ.
Rangers at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m., Chase Field
Diamondbacks LHP Joe Mantiply (1-1, 6.65) vs. Rangers LHP Jordan Montgomery (8-10, 3.30).
Mantiply will serve as the Diamondbacks’ opener for the second time in a week. Last time, he pitched a scoreless inning against the Rockies at Coors Field. … Behind him, Slade Cecconi will likely pitch the bulk of the middle innings. … Cecconi has made three appearances so far, starting twice and pitching in relief once, and has thrown pretty well on each occasion. Most recently, he gave up two runs in four innings against the Rockies. … He had just a 6.38 ERA in Triple-A Reno, where the staff ERA is 6.05. … He has averaged 94 mph with his fastball while also throwing sliders, curveballs and change-ups. The slider has induced a strong whiff rate of 38.1 percent while holding opposing hitters to just a .100 average. … Montgomery began the season with the St. Louis Cardinals, making 21 starts for them, then was traded to the Rangers at the deadline. In three starts for Texas, he has logged a 2.50 ERA with two walks and 20 strikeouts in 18 innings, working six innings in each outing. … The Diamondbacks faced him on April 18 in St. Louis and hit him hard, scoring seven times off him in four innings. … He sits in the 93 mph range with his fastball. His change-up and curveball are effective secondary offerings, both of which are capable of limiting damage and getting whiffs.
Coming up
Tuesday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (13-5, 3.17) vs. Rangers RHP Jon Gray (8-6, 3.52).
Wednesday: Off.
Thursday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-6, 6.13) vs. Reds LHP Brandon Williamson (4-3, 4.47).
Friday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (10-5, 3.13) vs. Reds RHP Hunter Greene (2-5, 4.72).
At 72-52, the Rangers are in first place in the American League West and own the third-best record in the AL. They are in the midst of a rough stretch, having lost four in a row, including three straight to the Milwaukee Brewers, who completed a road sweep on Sunday afternoon. The Rangers have the best offense in the league, entering Sunday with an average of 5.69 runs per game. Their pitching staff is more middle of the pack with a 4.02 ERA, but the front office bolstered that unit at the deadline by trading for RHP Max Scherzer and LHP Jordan Montgomery. SS Corey Seager is having a fantastic year at the plate, hitting .344/.409/.653 with 22 homers. Seven other regular or semi-regular players sport OPSs north of .800. The Rangers are without rookie 3B Josh Jung, who is out after undergoing surgery on his thumb. Their best starter this year has been RHP Nathan Eovaldi, but he is out with a forearm injury. LHP Will Smith has done well in the closer’s role, converting 22 of 25 save chances with a 3.27 ERA.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-Rangers pitching matchup for Monday’s series opener
