The 67-61 Arizona Diamondbacks return home tonight to Chase Field to open a 3-game set with the 61-67 Cincinnati Reds. Arizona is just one game back of the San Diego Padres for the last Wild Card spot and is expected to have southpaw Eduardo Rodríguez on the hill and he has been delivering. Rodríguez is 12-4 with a 2.71 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP, and in his last two starts against two of the best teams in the majors (the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers) he was dialed in. Against the Braves, Rodríguez allowed only 2 runs on 5 hits over 6 frames and the Diamondbacks cruised to a 10-3 win. Against the Dodgers he worked 7 frames allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and the Diamondbacks went on to a 4-2 victory. Fellow lefty Nick Lodolo is expected to be called on to throw strikes for the Reds. Lodolo is very hittable at 3-2 with a 4.52 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. The Snakes took two of three from the Reds back in June in Cincinnati. They are also 6-0 in Rodríguez’s last 6 home starts against a team with a losing record, and the Reds are 0-4 in their last 4 roads games against a left-handed starter. Arizona was off yesterday so they will be well-rested, and Cincinnati will not be after falling to the St. Louis Cardinals last night, 10-9.
TONIGHT’S PICK: ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS