The Arizona Diamondbacks ended their four-game skid by defeating the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday at Chase Field, improving their season record to 61-66. This win was crucial as it clinched the series for Arizona, while the Guardians, now 64-61, saw their chances for a playoff spot diminish, falling three games behind the third AL Wild Card position.
Brandon Pfaadt played a pivotal role in this Diamondbacks series win, delivering a strong pitching performance that helped contain the Guardians’ offense and shift momentum in Arizona’s favor.
Pitching Matchups Highlight Debut and Veteran Adjustments
The pitching duel showcased a mix of youth and experience, with the Guardians calling on left-hander Parker Messick for his Major League debut. The 24-year-old, a 2022 second-round draft pick from the University of Florida, impressed in Triple-A with a 3.47 ERA across 20 starts. Messick’s primary weapon, a 92.6 mph four-seam fastball, is supplemented by an effective changeup that has induced a 46% swing-and-miss rate, along with curveballs, sliders, and the occasional two-seamer. His recent command has earned him this opportunity, as he limited walks to six over the last 30 innings with 36 strikeouts.
On the Diamondbacks’ side, Brandon Pfaadt has had a challenging three-year tenure in MLB, posting ERAs close to 5.08 overall this season and 5.06 in previous campaigns. However, advanced metrics like Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) and Expected FIP (xFIP) suggest he has pitched better than his ERA reflects, with marks of 4.25 and 3.96 respectively. Yet, unlike those peripherals, Statcast’s expected ERA (xERA), which accounts for strikeouts, walks, and quality of contact, places Pfaadt’s performance less favorably at 5.92 for the year.
Pfaadt has tweaked his pitch selection recently, leaning more on sinkers, changeups, and cutters while reducing reliance on four-seam fastballs and sweepers. These adjustments have yielded uneven results, as he has allowed 19 hits over his last 11 innings, leading to seven earned runs. Nevertheless, he has demonstrated a significant home-field advantage with a 3.76 ERA at Chase Field compared to 6.50 on the road; he previously faced the Guardians this season, pitching 6.1 innings and surrendering only two runs.
Managing Bullpen Workloads Amid Series Demands
After Eduardo Rodriguez’s solid 6.2 innings on Tuesday, the Diamondbacks utilized four relievers to close the game. Juan Burgos exited early after a comebacker struck the pad of his right throwing hand, though X-rays showed no serious injury. The bullpen’s depth was tested as Andrew Hoffmann struggled, requiring 22 pitches to secure two outs while allowing a run. Relief pitcher Kyle Backhus entered and stabilized the situation, followed by Andrew Saalfrank who efficiently delivered a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
For the upcoming day game, Saalfrank, Juan Morillo, and Jalen Beeks are expected to handle the primary high-leverage situations, providing crucial late-inning support. The Guardians also rotated through four relievers on Tuesday but rested key arms Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis, who had pitched on consecutive days.
Upcoming Series Momentum and Player Impact
With this series win, the Diamondbacks have gained valuable confidence and momentum as they approach upcoming contests. Brandon Pfaadt’s improved command at Chase Field has proven vital against a competitive Guardians lineup, and the bullpen’s ability to hold leads will remain critical moving forward. Meanwhile, the Guardians must now reassess their playoff strategy as their wild card chances narrow.
The clash between emerging talent like Parker Messick and established players such as Pfaadt highlights the evolving dynamics within both teams, setting an intense tone for the remainder of the season at Chase Field.
“Juan Burgos only threw four pitches, but was hit on the pad of his right throwing hand by a comebacker on the last play of the seventh. X-rays were negative.”
—Jack Sommers, Beat Writer
“Andrew Saalfrank worked a 1-2-3, low-stress ninth inning.”
—Jack Sommers, Beat Writer