The Arizona Diamondbacks continue a lengthy homestand on Monday, June 30, after finishing a three-game series with the Miami Marlins on June 29.
That series concludes with resurgent left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound for the Diamondbacks, looking for a third win this month. Then, on the heels of three series against three of Major League Baseball’s below-.500 teams, the San Francisco Giants come to Chase Field for four games, followed by the Kansas City Royals over Fourth of July weekend.
The Giants are in town June 30-July 3. This could be a pivotal series, as the Diamondbacks are within striking distance of second place in the National League West. The Giants and Padres have traded that spot all season, but both teams are not playing consistently well, and the Diamondbacks have inched closer to them.
The Giants have a chance to put some distance between themselves and the Diamondbacks in the NL wild-card race, as the season rolls into its second half.
San Francisco is a team without big names that might be overachieving this season. Their All-Star Game representation could be made up of pitchers such as Robbie Ray, Logan Webb and relievers Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers.
The Royals’ offense this season has been better away from home than at Kauffman Stadium. Going into their game on June 26, Kansas City had lost nine straight home games and had yet to win at home in June. Yet the Royals remain in the AL wild-card race.
Kansas City’s star is shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who recently announced he will play for Team USA in next spring’s World Baseball Classic. Third baseman Maikel Garcia has also had a solid year with the bat.
Among the special events and giveaways at Chase Field this week, there will be postgame fireworks on July 3 and 4, and a patriotic T-shirt giveaway for the first 20,000 fans on July 5.