D-backs Ryne Nelson to Battle Dylan Cease in Rubber Match with Padres
The Diamondbacks (44-45) and Padres (49-44) square off for the rubber match in their three-game series Sunday afternoon at Petco Park. The game will be televised via the Free Roku streaming platform. Fans can learn more about how to watch by reading HERE and HERE
Pitching Matchup
Ryne Nelson (5-6, 5.42 ERA, 4.33 FIP) will have his work cut out for him. He’ll be opposed by Dylan Cease (7-7, 4.24 ERA, 3.28 FIP).
For Nelson it’s been a matter of two steps forward, one step back in his progress this year. He pitched well following opener Joe Mantiply against the Dodgers on Tuesday but was hit hard by the Twins in the start before that.
For the Diamondbacks, Nelson must have one of his better games. The D-backs have gotten just 21 innings in five games this week, while the relievers have had to log 23.2 innings. Don’t be surprised if Torey Lovullo has a slow hook with Nelson today due to this factor.
Counting his outing Tuesday as the “bulk” pitcher, Nelson is the only D-backs starter to pitch at least five innings this week. The D-backs need at least that much today. In two prior outings against the Padres this year he’s allowed 10 runs, 9 earned in 8.1 innings.
Cease was having an excellent season, posting a 3.36 ERA through his first 14 starts. He faced the D-backs on May 3rd, giving up just one run in 6.2 innings while striking out eight in a Padres victory. He’s been hit hard in three of his last four outings, however, giving up 17 runs in 19 innings, ballooning his ERA.
