The Arizona Diamondbacks are preparing for Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., while trailing the San Francisco Giants by six games for the final National League wild-card spot and sitting three games below a .500 winning percentage. This positioning has intensified discussions around potential trades as the July 31 deadline looms, with right-handed pitcher Zac Gallen emerging as a potential trade candidate.
Zac Gallen’s Recent Performance Sparks Interest
Zac Gallen, who holds a 7-9 record with a 5.15 ERA, has improved his performance after a tough 3-7 start. He won four of his last six decisions, highlighted by consecutive victories against the Giants and San Diego Padres, during which he allowed just one earned run and 10 hits over 13 innings while striking out 19 batters. Gallen, a two-time top-five finalist for the National League Cy Young Award, acknowledged the trade rumors with measured acceptance.
Obviously, for me, I don’t like hearing that, just for the fact that it kind of signifies that we’re in that spot where it’s a potential.
—Zac Gallen, Pitcher
Diamondbacks’ Outlook Hinges on Upcoming Games
The D-backs hope to reverse a disappointing 6-5 loss on Friday, which ended on a walk-off single by Angels’ Travis d’Arnaud. A series win over Los Angeles combined with a strong start following the All-Star break might shift the team’s strategy toward buying rather than selling at the deadline. Gallen expressed his hope that the organization will aim to strengthen the team.
I’m just trying to string a few more starts together and see where we’re at at the deadline. Hopefully, we’re in a spot [where] the front office at the very least doesn’t subtract from this team and decides to add some pieces to this ballclub.
—Zac Gallen, Pitcher
Previous Matchups and Upcoming Pitching Assignments
Gallen has faced the Angels once in his career, a 2023 start in Anaheim that ended with a 5-2 loss. In that game, he allowed four runs on five hits, including home runs by Mike Trout and Mickey Moniak, and struck out 12 over seven innings. For Saturday’s game, the Angels plan to start left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, an All-Star with a 3-6 record and 3.02 ERA, who carries a 5.81 ERA in five career starts against Arizona. Los Angeles recently moved within 3 1/2 games of the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League wild-card race thanks to Friday’s victory.
Travis d’Arnaud’s Walk-Off Highlights Angels’ Resilience
The Angels’ win on Friday was sealed by Travis d’Arnaud’s pinch-hit single in the ninth inning, which drove in Logan O’Hoppe for the walk-off run. This marked d’Arnaud’s sixth career walk-off hit. Reflecting on his approach, d’Arnaud stressed simplicity and patience at the plate.
Just keep things simple, try and put the bat on the baseball. We already had runners on first and second, so I didn’t need a homer to win it. Fortunately, I got a pitch to hit, and I just got lucky and it dropped in.
—Travis d’Arnaud, Catcher
Key Contributions from Both Teams in Friday’s Game
Offensively, the Angels saw home runs from Zach Neto and Yoan Moncada, while Luis Rengifo and Nolan Schanuel each collected three hits. Kenley Jansen secured a scoreless ninth inning to earn his third win of the season. For Arizona, Randal Grichuk delivered a strong performance with two home runs, a double, and three RBIs.
Angels Maintain Postseason Ambitions Despite Standings
Despite ranking fourth in the AL West and trailing the first-place Houston Astros by nine games, the Angels continue to believe they can make a late postseason push. d’Arnaud conveyed their determination to keep competing.
Just keep going. We’re not out of it. We all want to make the playoffs this year. Obviously, we want to win the division as well.
—Travis d’Arnaud, Catcher
Trade Deadline Implications for the Diamondbacks
With the trade deadline nearing, the Diamondbacks face a pivotal moment in their season. The team’s next few games, especially the series against the Angels, could influence whether they enter the market as buyers or sellers. Zac Gallen’s performance and health remain central in this decision, with the potential trade of a key starting pitcher highlighting the delicate balance between rebuilding and competing. The outcome may significantly shape the roster and strategic direction for the remainder of the season and beyond.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why do they call Zac Gallen the milk man?
A. Fans call Gallen “The Milkman” since he always comes through. On Thursday, he brought essential milk to St. Mary’s Food Bank. He collaborated with the food bank to give 2,300 gallons of milk from Shamrock Farms, a local business.