Opposite dugout: With nothing to lose, D-backs looking for payback against Nats

DiamondbacksLogo.jpgManager: Chip Hale (2nd season)

Record: 64-91

Last 10 games: 3-7

Who to watch: 2B Jean Segura (.314/.362/.482 with 17 HR, 60 RBIs), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.301/.414/.495 with 23 HR, 91 RBIs), RF Yasmany Tomas (29 HR, 75 RBIs), LHP Robbie Ray (8-13, 4.66 ERA), RHP Jake Barrett (3.49 ERA)

Season series vs. Nationals: 0-3

Pitching probables:

Sept. 26: RHP Archie Bradley vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Sept. 27: RHP Zack Godley vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN2
Sept. 28: RHP Shelby Miller vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN2
Sept. 29: LHP Robbie Ray vs. RHP Joe Ross, 1:05 p.m., MASN2

Inside the Diamondbacks:

While the Nationals are looking toward the postseason, the Diamondbacks are looking toward next season. After a busy offseason, the cash the Snakes dealt didn't turn into results, as they are trying to avoid their second last-place finish in the last three years. The Padres currently hold a 1 1/2-game lead for the fourth spot in the National League West. After this four-game set in D.C., the Diamondbacks will host the Padres in the final series of the regular season in what could be a battle for the coveted fourth-place finish.

The Diamondbacks offense does have some pop to it, however. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is doing his usual damage at the plate, slashing .301/.414/.495 with 23 home runs and a team-high 91 RBIs. But it's 25-year-old right fielder Yasmany Tomas who leads the club with 29 homers while adding 75 RBIs. His slash line isn't bad either at .368/.309/.499. Speaking of slash line, second baseman Jean Segura's starts with a team-best batting average at .314/.362/.482. And third baseman Jake Lamb has added some impressive power numbers with 28 longballs and 89 RBIs.

Rookie right-hander Archie Bradley will start this final four-game series for the Diamondbacks at Nats Park. He is 7-9 with a 5.02 ERA in 24 starts this season. In his lone start against the Nationals, Bradley gave up eight runs (seven earned) and 12 hits in just 3 1/3 innings in an eventual 14-1 Nats victory. Zack Godley will be the second straight rookie the Nats face to start this series. Godley is 4-4 with a 6.46 ERA in 24 appearances and just nine starts. He is 4-3 with a 7.31 ERA as a starter and 0-1 with a 4.57 ERA as a reliever. He went six innings as the starter against the Nats in August, giving up four runs and eight hits, but striking out seven in a loss.

Veteran Shelby Miller has struggled mightily this year. Having battled a right index finger injury earlier this year, Miller has pitched to a 2-12 record and 6.47 ERA. He hasn't faced the Nationals this year, but the former Cardinal and Brave is 2-2 with a 2.85 ERA in seven career starts against the Nats and 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in four starts in at Nats Park. Robbie Ray will be the only lefty to start against the Nationals in this series as he takes the mound in Thursday's matinee finale. Ray is 8-13 with a 4.66 ERA in 30 starts this season, being the workhorse in Arizona's rotation. In his only start against the Nats, he gave up six runs (five earned) and eight hits while striking out nine in six innings on Aug. 2.

The Nationals won all three games in Arizona earlier this year by scores of 14-1, 10-4 and 8-3, so expect the Diamonbacks, a team with nothing to lose, to come into D.C. looking for some payback.




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