The Arizona Diamondbacks are relying heavily on Zac Gallen key to Diamondbacks pitching success as they face the San Diego Padres on Saturday in Phoenix. After suffering another pitching setback, the Diamondbacks are counting on Gallen to lead their rotation against Padres rookie Ryan Bergert in a matchup highlighting experience versus youth.
Arizona’s pitching staff has been depleted recently, with ace Corbin Burnes sidelined due to season-ending Tommy John surgery and closer Justin Martinez placed on the injured list for at least a year because of a UCL sprain. This loss has intensified the urgency for solid performances from starters like Gallen, who takes the mound following a 5-1 win by Arizona over San Diego in the series opener on Friday.
Pitching Troubles Impact Both Teams’ Rosters
Both the Diamondbacks and Padres have faced significant pitching challenges this season. Arizona’s Burnes went down two weeks ago, and Martinez’s injury was confirmed just before the weekend’s action. The absence of these key pitchers leaves the Diamondbacks searching for consistency and durability on the mound.
San Diego has also struggled with injuries, as pitcher Michael King has been out with a pinched nerve in his shoulder area for two weeks, and Yu Darvish has yet to pitch this spring due to right elbow inflammation. These circumstances have placed additional pressure on young pitchers like Ryan Bergert to step up amid an uncertain season.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo expressed his realistic outlook on the challenges:
This game is extremely tough and unforgiving, and it can just rip you apart,
before urging resilience,
We just have to go out with that next-man-up attitude.
—Torey Lovullo, Arizona Diamondbacks manager
Meanwhile, Padres manager Mike Shildt acknowledged his team’s ongoing efforts:
We’re pushing, piecing it together and competing at the same time,
and added,
But we’re going to need some depth out of some starters.
—Mike Shildt, San Diego Padres manager
Zac Gallen’s Recent Performance and Career Matchup Against the Padres
Zac Gallen, a three-time top-10 National League Cy Young Award contender, has faced struggles recently. He has recorded just one quality start in his last six outings, which was an 8-3 win against Atlanta on June 3, where he allowed three runs (only one earned) over seven innings. In his most recent start against Cincinnati, Gallen surrendered three home runs, including a critical two-run shot by Matt McLain in the seventh inning, leading to a 4-2 loss.
Reflecting on the homers, Gallen stated, I’ll take solo homers, and added,
Obviously, you’re trying to prevent big innings, but you don’t want to let them in the game. In the seventh, it’s a little tough. I was just trying to go away and it just backed up on me.
—Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher
This season, Gallen has allowed 14 home runs, ranking second in the National League behind Jameson Taillon of the Cubs, who has given up 16. In 2023, Gallen gave up a career-high 22 home runs over 34 starts and leads the NL with 36 walks allowed.
Despite recent difficulties, Gallen holds strong numbers against San Diego, posting a 4-3 record with a 3.16 ERA in 12 starts. He did not face the Padres last year due to a hamstring injury but performed exceptionally well in 2023 with 3-0 and a 1.78 ERA across four starts against them.
However, the Padres have been capable of capitalizing on Gallen’s pitching. Their lineup has hit 11 home runs in just over 68 innings against him. Notable hitters include Fernando Tatis Jr., who is 5-for-17 with two solo home runs; Jake Cronenworth, at 7-for-24 with one homer; as well as Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts, both having landed homers off Gallen.
Padres Rookie Ryan Bergert’s Role and Performance
On the other side, Ryan Bergert prepares for his third start of the season as he fills the gap left by Michael King’s injury. Bergert recently pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing only one hit, despite walking four batters. His effort did not result in a decision during the Padres’ 1-0 win last Sunday, but it demonstrated his growing comfort and control on the mound.
Bergert reflected on his progress:
I made pitches when I needed to,
and further commented,
I was executing things a little bit better than my last start, and I was happy with that. I felt more comfortable on the mound and not so jittery as the first one.
—Ryan Bergert, San Diego Padres pitcher
Implications for the Diamondbacks as They Seek to Sustain Momentum
The Diamondbacks aim to stretch their current winning streak to five games and depend on Gallen to bring stability amidst their pitching crisis. The absence of Burnes and Martinez significantly weakens Arizona’s bullpen and rotation, making Gallen’s performance crucial in close contests, especially against a Padres team facing its own pitching shortages.
How Gallen adjusts to the pressure and the challenges posed by key Padres hitters will likely determine the outcome of this pivotal game. For Arizona, Gallen represents their best chance to maintain competitiveness as they look to rebuild pitching depth and gain momentum heading deeper into the season.