D-backs look to stay hot against struggling Mets

Jun 14, 2018, 11:43 AM | Updated: 1:03 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, center, is congratulated by relief pitcher Fernando Salas, left, and catcher John Ryan Murphy after Colorado Rockies' Tony Wolters hit into a double play to end the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 9, 2018, in Denver. Arizona won 12-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BY ALEC HENDEN

Arizona Sports

The Diamondbacks appear to have their swagger back.

After winning their series against the Pirates, the D-backs look to pad their lead in the NL West as the Mets come into Chase Field.

The D-backs are finding a way to win, despite the rotation having struggled this last turn. Matching up against the lowly Mets offense should put them in a better position to find success.

The offense has emerged and found a way to score runs at home, which they struggled to do in the first two months of the season. Arizona has averaged 7.2 runs per game in June, most notably due to Paul Goldschmidt breaking out of his slump.

Goldy is hitting .458 in June, and has put himself in position to salvage his statistics and put together another star caliber season.

Ketel Marte and David Peralta have also started to swing the bat better in June. Marte is hitting .410 with strong defense in the middle infield. Peralta has been moved from the top of the order after acquiring Jon Jay, and he’s excelled in the middle of the order hitting .348 in June to go along with five home runs this month.

As for the Mets, they have been stuck in another injury-riddled season.

Yoenis Cespedes, Todd Frazier and Michael Conforto were all expected to provide a strong presence at the plate, but all have missed significant time due to injuries.

The Mets are currently at 28-36 sitting at fourth place in the NL East.

Not much has gone right for the team since sweeping the D-backs in mid-May. They only have one win in May, and can’t score any runs to support their pitching staff.

The D-backs also lucked out by not having to face Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard during the four-game set. deGrom has been one of the best pitchers in the NL in 2018, posting a 1.55 ERA in 87 1/3 innings with 113 strikeouts. In his last 10 outings, the Mets are 2-8 despite deGrom posting a sub-1.00 ERA.

The series begins Thursday at 6:40 p.m., with Matt Koch on the hill for the D-backs against Mets left-hander Jason Vargas. Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta connects for a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt, right, pauses after striking out with the bases loaded as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli, left, holds the ball during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Josh Bell connects for a run-scoring double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jordy Mercer follows through on a run-scoring double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jordy Mercer, right, celebrates his home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Jameson Taillon (50) during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jeff Mathis dives late back to first base as he is doubles up at first during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. The Pirates defeated the Diamondbacks 5-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) rubs up a new baseball after giving up a home run to Pittsburgh Pirates' Jordy Mercer, right, during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) pauses on the mound with catcher Jeff Mathis, left, just before Greinke is taken out in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Gregory Polanco, left, scores a run as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jeff Mathis, right, waits for a late throw during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Austin Meadows (17), Gregory Polanco, front right, and Starling Marte celebrate after the Pirates defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 in a baseball game Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Colin Moran reaches in vain for a single hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. The Pirates defeated the Diamondbacks 5-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Edgar Santana points to the sky after recording the final out in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Phoenix. The Pirates defeated the Diamondbacks 5-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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