The Diamondbacks began their game on Sunday, Aug. 17, without All-Star Ketel Marte in the lineup.
Manager Torey Lovullo sought to give Marte a day off at some point in Colorado, but Marte played the first three games of the series with the Rockies, including Aug. 16, when he hit two doubles as the DH.
That day came Aug. 17, even though Marte had hit safely in his last five games and eight of the last nine. He is batting .357 in August with a 1.071 OPS.
“There was a little bit of volume running the bases and some heavy swings,” Lovullo said. “I know his body is very strong and he can create a lot of force. … I was watching and adding it up and talking to the medical team, it just made sense to have him come off the bench and be available in that very critical time in the game.”
Diamondbacks RHP Nabil Crismatt (0-0, no ERA) vs. Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (4-14, 7.34).
At Coors Field: Crismatt, a member of Colombia’s World Baseball Classic team, was called up from Triple-A Reno and takes the rotation spot left open by the thumb injury to RHP Anthony DeSclafani. Crismatt is set for his first major league start since April 10, 2022, when he was with the Padres, and last pitched for Arizona in relief in 2023. He was signed as a minor league free agent last week and made one appearance for Reno. He will make his ninth career appearance at Coors Field, which is one of the reasons he was called up to make the start. Senzatela is fresh off the injured list, where he was since Aug. 2 with a finger blister. His 14 losses are the most in the major leagues, but he is averaging 94.9 mph on his fastball, the highest average velocity of his career.
Monday, Aug. 18: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m. Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (9-12, 5.31) vs. Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (7-4, 3.38).
Tuesday, Aug. 19: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-7, 5.40) vs. Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (9-9, 4.54).
Wednesday, Aug. 20: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (12-8, 5.08) vs. Guardians LHP Joey Cantillo (3-3, 3.93).
What to know about the Guardians
Cleveland is far back of the first-place Detroit Tigers in the American League Central, but the Guardians entered Sunday, Aug. 17, just 2 ½ games out of the last wild card spot in the AL. So much is at stake this week and going forward for them. Seven-time All-Star José Ramirez spearheads the Cleveland offense, with two-time All-Star Steven Kwan also a big part of the attack. DH Kyle Manzardo’s 21 home runs (on Aug. 17) were second to the 25 for Ramirez. On the pitching side, RHP Emmanuel Clase is among the premier closers in baseball and has had three straight seasons of 40 or more saves. He may not get to that mark this season, but he is still effective. Former Diamondbacks catcher Stephen Vogt is the Guardians manager.