let's be real: this is the kind of game that tells you exactly where a season stands. The Diamondbacks are going with Taylor Clarke as the starter in San Diego, and Gabriel Moreno will serve as the designated hitter as Arizona leans hard on its bullpen in a must-win setup. When a club has to build the night this way, what else do you call it but a full-on all-hands-on-deck push?
The move comes after the Diamondbacks had expected Corbin Burnes to start Saturday against the Padres, only for his return to the injured list to change the plan. That left Arizona with a bullpen game in a spot where there is no room for wasted outs, no room for a soft landing, no room for pretending this is anything other than a pressure game with the season hanging right there in front of them. The D-backs entered Saturday one back of the Phillies for the final National League Wild Card spot, and that is the kind of margin that turns every inning into a test.
Clarke gets the ball after making one start as an opener earlier this season, when he blanked the Phillies in 1.2 innings. He has been solid overall, posting a 2.86 ERA in 72.1 innings after returning to Arizona as a free agent, but the recent stretch has not been as clean. He allowed five earned runs over his last 5.1 innings, including two in his latest appearance at Coors Field. In a game like this, that recent form matters. In a game like this, every pitch matters even more.
The bullpen should have some life behind him. Jonathan Loaisiga, Brandyn Garcia, Justin Martinez and Juan Morillo had not pitched since Wednesday, and manager Torey Lovullo said the club was in good shape after staying away from them over the previous couple of days. Ryne Nelson and Zac Gallen also pitched in relief on Friday, while Eduardo Rodriguez said he was willing to head to the bullpen if needed after starting on Thursday. That is the blueprint here. Use whoever is ready. Use whoever can give you a clean inning. Use whoever can keep the door open.
San Diego is starting right-hander Walker Buehler, which only sharpens the edge of the matchup. The Diamondbacks know exactly what kind of night this is. One game. One plan. One chance to keep the chase alive. And when the margin is that thin, what else is there besides trust, urgency, and every arm you can get your hands on?
