Diamondbacks going back to closer-by-matchups
The Diamondbacks are going to play the matchups with a bullpen that has been deeper than in previous seasons, Torey Lovullo confirmed.
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Perhaps the biggest question heading into the Arizona Diamondbacks’ rubber match against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday was what would happen if they faced another save situation, and they answered it.
In a 3-0 game heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, Arizona called on left-hander Brandyn Garcia to close out the series over season-long closer Paul Sewald. Garcia delivered a shutout inning, and after the game, manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that the D-backs are changing their philosophy in the ninth inning.
The Diamondbacks are going to play the matchups with a bullpen that has been deeper than in previous seasons.
“I’ve made an adjustment,” Lovullo told Diamondbacks broadcaster Todd Walsh on the postgame show. “I’m going to mix up some roles a little bit and get Paul back on his feet. … We’re going to have roles, matchups to get it done.”
Garcia is the lone lefty, and the Pirates were an ideal matchup with left-handers Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn to deal with, but fellow relievers Juan Morillo, Jonathan Loaisiga and Taylor Clarke each have sub-3.00 ERAs. Kevin Ginkel has also been solid this season, and he has experience in high leverage.
Sewald has 24 saves this season and only three blown saves, but his ERA has climbed to 5.26. He blew the save on Tuesday, giving up home runs to Lowe and Bryan Reynolds after inheriting a three-run lead.
He has blown two of his last three save opportunities, and the Diamondbacks will move forward like they did in 2024 when he struggled in July, as well.
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Comments
4 Comments
Good series win. Great job by Rodriguez (I'm surprised TL let him go to the 8th - yeah, he had 105 pitches, but was in control)...
2 questions:
1) Why is Locklear on the bench? He had a couple of good games and he's sitting. Tawa had a couple of great plays in the field, but still went 0 for 4 .....
2) Why is Barrosa playing? There's no real need for a defensive guy when offense is needed and he's hitting .187.... Waldschmidt has been playing pretty well.... I just don't understand...
Well, on to Cleveland.... hope they keep winning!!!
I am sorry but I don't care about getting Paul back on his feet. I care about the Dbacks winning and going to the playoffs. I am tired of TL loyalty to players versus the loyalty to the team and fans. Who cares if Sewald pitches again IF the Dbacks are winning.
I don't want to hear about loyalty. How many players left the Dbacks when the Dbacks took a chance on them? Sewald will be a free agent at the end of this season and it is probably unlikely that he will be back with the Dbacks for the 2027 season.
The problem with Sewald is not a mechanical or mental thing. It's a 90 mph fastball and 83 mph slider and everyone has figured it out. Stay back and wait for one right down the middle. He always throws one.