Lovullo: Patrick Corbin will start for D-backs in NLDS Game 4, if necessary
Oct 8, 2017, 2:58 PM | Updated: 2:59 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks' Patrick Corbin throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 23, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX — Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday that if the D-backs stave off elimination in Game 3 on Monday, Patrick Corbin will be the starter in Game 4 on Tuesday.
“We looked at Patrick as being a very versatile piece in this puzzle,” Lovullo said. “We had him for length and coverage over the first couple games. He was prepared to go down to the bullpen. And then we’re planning on having him start Game 4.”
As it turned out, Corbin wasn’t used in the first two games of the NLDS against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, nor in Wednesday’s Wild Card game.
“That was part of our game plan all series long, and it’s a credit to him for being that versatile that he was able to fill that role,” Lovullo said. “In my conversation with the group as we were walking through some of the dynamics of the series, I felt like Game 4 was going to be the most crucial game of this series.”
Lovullo said it’s of “minimal concern” that Corbin hasn’t pitched since Sept. 29, a 2.2-inning relief outing against the Kansas City Royals.
Corbin, 28, was 14-13 with a 4.03 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 2017.
The former All-Star faced the Dodgers twice this season, both times in Los Angeles, allowing a combined eight runs (six earned) over 10.2 innings with 16 hits and five walk. He was charged with the loss in both games.
However, should a Game 4 be necessary, it would be played at Chase Field, where Corbin’s ERA on the season is nearly a full two runs lower than on the road. In 17 games in Arizona this year, Corbin was 9-4 with a 3.15 ERA.
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