The Arizona Diamondbacks (71-63) travel to Oracle Park to face the San Francisco Giants (54-79) on August 28, with Arizona fighting for a wild-card spot and San Francisco looking to recover from a devastating bullpen collapse.
The Arizona Diamondbacks (71-63) and San Francisco Giants (54-79) open a quick two-game series on Thursday, August 28, at Oracle Park, with Arizona clinging to playoff hopes and San Francisco playing spoiler after a brutal loss. The Diamondbacks are coming off a 2-0 shutout of the Cubs, powered by Eduardo Rodriguez’s 7-inning, 9-strikeout gem, while the Giants just blew a six-run lead in a 10-9 defeat to the Reds. With both teams banged up, the edge may come down to starting pitching and bullpen reliability.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Riding Momentum and Rodriguez
Arizona improved to 71-63, third in the NL West, with a 2-0 win over Chicago on August 26. Eduardo Rodriguez was dominant, tossing seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts, and Jordan Lawlar provided the offense with a solo home run. The bullpen added two scoreless frames to seal the win. The Diamondbacks also lead MLB with 40 comeback victories, including Tuesday’s 5-4 walk-off when rookie Ryan Waldschmidt hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth.
However, the roster is depleted. Ketel Marte (10-Day IL), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (10-Day IL), Tommy Troy (10-Day IL), Matt Shaw (10-Day IL), and Hoby Milner (15-Day IL) are sidelined, along with long-term absences Blake Walston, Ryne Nelson, Shelby Miller (60-Day IL), Edward Cabrera, and Gavin Hollowell (15-Day IL). Despite the injuries, Arizona’s offense has found ways to win, and they will lean on that resilience against a division rival.
San Francisco Giants: Seeking Redemption After a Collapse
San Francisco fell to 54-79, fourth in the NL West, after a crushing 10-9 home loss to Cincinnati on August 26. The Giants led by six runs entering the ninth, but Eugenio Suarez’s grand slam highlighted a seven-run Reds rally. The bullpen meltdown wasted a strong effort from the lineup, which included Rafael Devers’s 28th homer in Tuesday’s 3-1 win, a drive that bounced into McCovey Cove.
Injuries have hammered the Giants. Carson Whisenhunt tore his UCL and is likely headed for surgery, while Jung Hoo Lee and Brady Singer are day-to-day. Jesus Rodriguez and Marcelo Mayer are on the 10-Day IL, and Matt Gage and Graham Ashcraft are on the 60-Day IL. Bryce Eldridge is on bereavement leave. The Giants will need depth and a short memory to avoid a fourth straight losing week.
Head-to-Head: Pitching and Bullpens Under the Microscope
Both teams enter with questionable bullpens. Arizona’s relief corps has been solid recently, but the Giants’ bullpen just surrendered seven runs in the ninth and may be taxed. Starting pitching could be the separator: the Diamondbacks have Rodriguez fresh off a gem, while the Giants’ rotation has been thinned by injuries. Arizona’s comeback ability (40 wins) contrasts with San Francisco’s inability to hold leads, a key factor in a series that could be close.
- Arizona is 71-63, 3rd in NL West; San Francisco is 54-79, 4th in NL West.
- D-backs have won two straight, including a 2-0 shutout of the Cubs; Giants lost 10-9 to the Reds after leading by six.
- Eduardo Rodriguez struck out 9 in 7 innings in his last start; Rafael Devers hit his 28th homer on Tuesday.
- Both teams are dealing with multiple injuries, including key position players and pitchers.
- Diamondbacks lead MLB in comeback wins (40); Giants have struggled to hold leads all season.
Prediction
Expect a tight, low-scoring affair if Arizona’s starter can replicate Rodriguez’s outing. The Diamondbacks’ resilience and superior record give them the edge, but the Giants’ desperation and home field could make it close. Arizona’s bullpen has been steadier, and they should be able to outlast a Giants team that just saw its relief corps implode. Look for the Diamondbacks to prevail with a late rally, continuing their wild-card push.
Prediction: Diamondbacks 5, Giants 3
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