D-Backs Go for the Sweep of the White Sox

The Arizona Diamondbacks are close to clinching a playoff berth. Thanks to the Chicago Cubs losing yesterday to the Braves and the Reds losing to the Guardians, the D-backs can clinch a playoff berth today. First, they must beat the Chicago White Sox. Then, they have to root for the Braves to beat the Cubs today. A Cubs loss along with a D-backs win ensures the club will be playing meaningful baseball games in October. Should the Cubs win, the D-backs could clinch a playoff spot with a win on Friday at home against the Houston Astros. Right now, the D-backs are in the second NL Wild Card spot. The Phillies have all but claimed the first NL Wild Card spot. The D-backs, at 84-74, have a two-game lead over the Cubs and the Miami Marlins who are tied for the third Wild Card spot. They are both 82-76.

Arizona got to this point after being out of the NL Wild Card picture ten days ago by going 8-2 over their last ten games. They leapfrogged the Reds, Marlins, and Cubs. They now are in control of their destiny. Their likely playoff matchup should they clinch today or on Friday would be against the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game Wild Card Series in Philadelphia.

However, they have to beat the Chicago White Sox first. They are seeking their second sweep of the White Sox in two years. The White Sox are 30-47 at home this season while the D-backs are 41-39 on the road. The D-backs won yesterday behind excellent pitching as they shut out the White Sox in a 3-0 win. On Tuesday, they won following a mammoth offensive outburst, beating the White Sox 15-4.

Pitching Matchup

The Diamondbacks are holding a bullpen game today. They will be looking to keep the White Sox off-kilter while utilizing a large share of their pen. Long-reliever Bryce Jarvis will be making his first MLB start today. The long-time starter and former first-round pick by the D-backs has been working out of the bullpen since making his debut in Colorado on August 15th. He's been a bit of a mixed bag as his base results have been excellent, but there are some signs of worry.

He has pitched in nine games since being shuttled between Triple-A Reno and the big leagues multiple times. Over those nine games, he has thrown 18.1 innings and is 2-0. He's given up just nine hits and five runs but has allowed two home runs. The concerning factor is that he has walked eight batters and just struck out eight batters. That has led his FIP to be at 5.11. However, most of those walks came in a two-inning stint against the Orioles when he walked three batters. He has one walk over his last 4.1 innings. His most recent outing was on Tuesday when he pitched 0.1 innings in relief for Ryne Nelson in the 8th inning.

It's likely that Bryce Jarvis will be asked to pitch three innings or so today to set up the bullpen for success. He has thrown three innings or more twice in his career so far. He's thrown at least two innings in all but three of his appearances. Everyone in the bullpen should be available as no one has pitched on two consecutive days.

Facing the Diamondbacks will be former D-backs first-round pick Touki Toussaint. Toussaint started the season with the Cleveland Guardians. He made one start for them and it was against the D-backs. In that start, he lasted just 3.2 innings, giving up three hits, two runs, and five walks, and struck out just two batters while taking the loss. He was then put on waivers where the White Sox claimed him. He has pitched out of their rotation since being acquired.

He has a 5.10 ERA, 5.08 FIP, and a 4-7 record over his 19 games and 15 starts this year. He's thrown 83 innings and has given up 66 hits, 47 runs, 10 home runs, 54 walks, and just 81 strikeouts. Toussaint has thrown 40.1 innings at Guaranteed Rate Field this year. He has a 5.58 ERA there with 21 walks and 44 strikeouts. 

So far in September, Toussaint has a 2-1 record over five games despite allowing 15 runs in 23.2 innings. That is good enough for a 5.70 ERA. He has walked 10 batters and struck out 23 hitters.

Starting Lineup

The D-backs are running out their normal lineup today. The one adjustment from yesterday is that Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is back in the lineup today. He missed yesterday's game due to left shoulder discomfort. It's good to see him back as the team will need him heading into the Astros' series and potentially the playoffs.

Corbin Carroll is 1-2 while Gurriel Jr. is 2-5 against Toussaint. Christian Walker has a hit and RBI in two at-bats against him. The D-backs will look to keep their bats hot as they enter the final four games of the season.