Dodgers @ D-backs June 5, 2019: Maeda takes on Duplantier, AZ’s top pitching prospect

The Dodgers (43-19) haven’t lost a game since May 28. They go for eight straight wins and a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks (30-32) on Wednesday afternoon at Chase Field.

	Dodgers			D-backs
	12:40 p.m.			Phoenix
LF	Pederson		CF	Dyson
1B	Muncy		3B	Escobar
3B	Turner		2B	Marte
RF	Bellinger		LF	Peralta
SS	Seager		1B	Walker
2B	Taylor		C	Avila
CF	Verdugo		SS	Ahmed
C	Smith		RF	Locastro
P	Maeda (R)		P	Duplantier (R)

Kenta Maeda (7-2, 3.61 ERA, 4.04 FIP) went 4-0 with a 2.73 ERA, 0.674 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 in the month of May (five starts) after struggling to start the season with a 1.500 WHIP in 32.2 innings (six starts). Last time out against the Phillies, Maeda allowed two runs on three hits with six strikeouts and no walks in six innings of work for his fourth straight win.

Maeda’s most effective when he has good command. He hasn’t allowed a walk in his last three starts (17.2 innings). He’ll will face a big challenge as he looks to slay the beast that is Chase Field. The right-hander has historically struggled in the Arizona desert, going 2-4 with a 7.31 ERA and 1.624 WHIP in eight career games (six starts). He’s also allowed nine home runs at Chase Field in those eight games, the most at any opposing ball park.

Not to sound like a Debbie Downer, but Maeda’s also had a rough time on the road this year with a 5.64 ERA and 1.516 WHIP in six starts. He’ll need to pitch carefully to Ketel Marte who is 7-for-12 (.583) against him.

Jon Duplantier (1-0, 3.18 ERA, 3.20 FIP) made his first career major-league start against the Mets last Friday. He wasn’t involved in the decision after allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks over five innings.

The 24-year old right-hander, Arizona’s top pitching prospect (the team’s No. 2 ranked prospect overall), made five relief appearances for Arizona prior to his first start. The D-backs promoted the rookie pitcher from Triple-A Reno for the fourth time this season after Luke Weaver landed on the injured list with a mild flexor pronator strain and mild UCL sprain. Duplantier was very successful in the minors and went 17-4 with a 2.01 ERA and 10.1 K/9 in 48 games (46 starts). His medical history has been the biggest question mark as far as his long-term outlook in the majors as a starter.

Duplantier has a two-seam fastball that reaches the mid-90’s, a four-seamer plus an above-average curveball and slider. He has a changeup too.

In the last 30 days, the Dodgers’ starting rotation has been completely dominant. They lead the majors in ERA (1.95). That’s more than a full point better than the second-best starting staff during that span, the Rays (3.14). They also lead baseball with a miniscule 0.86 WHIP over that period.

Dodger starters have also pitched the most innings (170.1), lessoning the burden on the inconsistent bullpen. At some point the pen is going to need some reinforcements in order to keep the starters fresh down the stretch and into the postseason.

——

There was a roster move prior to the game.

And this why. #Dodgers today recalled OF Kyle Garlick from @okc_dodgers & and placed IF Matt Beaty on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to June 3, with a left hip flexor strain. https://t.co/HTVNrlU9c8

— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 5, 2019

Plus an update on A.J. Pollock.

Dave Roberts said he expects A.J. Pollock to require 40 or 50 at-bats once he gets his PICC line removed shortly. So it’ll be a few weeks at least. Pollock is with the Dodgers here in Arizona.

— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) June 5, 2019