8/5 Gamethread: Giants at Diamondbacks

I hope you’re ready for some lunch time baseball, folks, because the Giants and Diamondbacks are at it again. The Giants have already taken the series, and they hope to add one more win before they leave town.

The most noteworthy lineup change is that Brandon Belt is back! No real corresponding moves just yet, though. Kevin Gausman is expecting the birth of his second child, so he’s heading to the paternity list, which opens up a spot for Belt without having to make any tough decisions just yet.

So far in the series, Alex Dickerson has thrived in the desert air, with two home runs including a grand slam. He also has a home run against today’s Diamondbacks’ starting pitcher, Merrill Kelly. So he might be one to keep an eye on. Gabe Kapler seems to agree, as he’s slotted Dickerson to bat clean up.

Buster Posey and Kris Bryant also have a strong history against Kelly, though Posey will sit this one out. Bryant will be moving to center field today.

Kelly enters today’s game with an ERA of 4.38, a 3.82 FIP, with 111 strikeouts to 30 walks in 129 innings pitched. The Giants will be starting Alex Wood, who enters today’s game with a 3.83 ERA, a 3.89 FIP, with 105 strikeouts to 35 walks in 98.2 innings pitched.

Lineups

Giants

1. LaMonte Wade, Jr., RF
2. Tommy LaStella, 3B
3. Kris Bryant, CF
4. Alex Dickerson, LF
5. Brandon Crawford, SS
6. Donovan Solano, 2B
7. Brandon Belt, 1B
8. Curt Casali, C
9. Alex Wood, LHP

Diamondbacks

1. Nick Ahmed, SS
2. Ketel Marte, CF
3. Carson Kelly, C
4. Christian Walker, 1B
5. Pavin Smith, RF
6. Drew Ellis, 3B
7. Jake Hager, 2B
8. Daulton Varsho, LF
9. Merrill Kelly, RHP

Game #109

Who: San Francisco Giants (68-40) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (34-75)

Where: Chase Field, Pheonix, Arizona

When: 12:40 p.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area (available on fuboTV)

National broadcast: None

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM