MLB Game Of The Week: Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants

Arizona suffered a tough 8-7 loss Tuesday night in San Francisco, rallying from 5-0 down only to lose on a throwing error on the last play. They'll try to move on Wednesday at Oracle Park, the most romantic place on the planet to watch or play a major league baseball game... except if you're the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Arizona's night ended Tuesday when first baseman Christian Walker bobbled a sharp grounder from SF's Kris Bryant. Walker's throw to first was high, and LaMonte Wade Jr. scored the winning run from third. SF's victory gave third base coach Ron Wotus his 2,000th win with the team, while spoiling the return of a another Giant legend, Madison Baumgarner. The former 2014 World Series MVP was returning to Oracle for the first time since leaving the team after the 2019 season to sign for 85 million and a lot of sunshine. 

Arizona enters this game 35-79 and in fifth place in the NL West. Merrill Kelly (7-8, 4.13 ERA, 115 strikeouts) is expected to get the start for the Diamondbacks. Arizona is 14-44 on the road this season, so welcome back to Oracle Diamondbacks! Arizona is 2-8 in their last 10 games while hitting .215 as a team, tossing up a 6.12 ERA and being outscored by 30 runs. This group is in immediate need of some San Francisco fun, off the field. I hope they get to enjoy some time just enjoying the city. Maybe a nice team stroll along the Embarcadero or a bike ride in Golden Gate Park will do the trick. 

Ready to hear about a team headed in the opposite direction? The Giants are 72-41 and sitting in first place in the NL West. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games, hitting .255 as team during that stretch. They definitely don't need any off field San Francisco fun. They're having too much of it on the diamond. 

One person in particular who's having fun this season is short stop Brandon Crawford, who leads the Giants in home runs (18) RBIs (67) OBP (.358) and hits (93 while batting a team-leading .290). Crawford also has the most cars (10) the most hats (78) and was voted both most likely to succeed and nicest smile by his teammates. 

Crawford's success has been the driving force behind the Giants' unexpected success this season. He technically shares the home run lead with teammate Mike Yastrzemski, who also has 47 RBIs and a team-leading 23 doubles. Catcher Buster Posey, though limited to 76 games this season, has also contributed greatly, hitting .333 with 14 home runs while providing his typical veteran leadership, sorely missed when he opted out of the 2020 season due concerns over COVID-19. 

If there's any consolation for Arizona it's that Merill Kelly enters this game 5-1with a 2.44 ERA in his last nine starts. Finally, somebody on this team is having fun! Kelly will battle Kevin Gausman, who's is 10-5 with a 2.31 ERA. 

My prediction: Arizona has fight. Arizona is starting has a hot pitcher. Arizona itself is a very hot place. But we're not in the desert baby. We're at Oracle, and there's a cold breeze coming off the bay. Regardless, it should still be a fun game. Giants 6-5. 



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