A Pivotal Pitching Duel: Holmes Faces His Almost-Team
The Missed Opportunity: How Clay Holmes Nearly Joined Arizona
Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes is scheduled to start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. This encounter comes approximately three weeks after the Diamondbacks had initially hoped to secure his services. Reports indicate that Arizona had a trade agreement in place to acquire Holmes from the New York Mets, but the deal faltered when the Mets encountered issues with the medical evaluations of a prospect from Arizona.
Holmes's Journey to the Cubs: A Redirected Path
Following the breakdown of the trade with Arizona, the Mets proceeded to send Holmes, along with outfielder Tyrone Taylor, to the Cubs. In return, the Mets received prospect Jefferson Rojas. This unexpected turn of events placed Holmes in Chicago, setting up his eventual confrontation with the Diamondbacks.
Arizona's Trade Perspective: General Manager's Statement
Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen commented on the trade discussions, stating, "We offered a lot, so all the way to the top of our farm system." He further explained his decision to draw a line regarding the involvement of major league players in some of the trade requests, emphasizing the extent of their interest in Holmes.
The Pitching Matchup: Holmes vs. Pfaadt
The upcoming game will feature a compelling pitching duel between Holmes (5-6, 2.49 ERA) and Arizona's right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (7-1, 3.39 ERA). Both pitchers have been in excellent form, promising an exciting contest in the second game of their three-game series.
Diamondbacks' Recent Struggles and Team Morale
The Cubs secured a dominant 7-0 victory in the series opener on Monday, marking the ninth time this season the Diamondbacks have been shut out. With key second baseman Ketel Marte injured, Arizona's record stands at 3-4. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo expressed the team's determination, stating, "We have to check off the game and come out tomorrow."
Holmes's Resurgence: Overcoming Injury and Finding Form
Holmes is making his fourth start for the Cubs, having previously faced Arizona's Merrill Kelly in a 2-1 loss on May 9. He missed nearly three months while recovering from a fractured right fibula, sustained from a comebacker on May 15. After a challenging first game with the Cubs on August 8, Holmes has since found his rhythm, delivering impressive performances, including 6 2/3 shutout innings against St. Louis and a strong outing against the Chicago White Sox.
Cubs' Postseason Aspirations: A Deep Run
Holmes, confident in his team's potential, remarked, "Hopefully we'll make a deep run in the postseason." The Cubs have won two consecutive games after a three-game losing streak, gaining ground on Philadelphia for the top wild-card spot in the National League following the Phillies' loss on Monday.
Holmes's Career Performance Against the Diamondbacks
Historically, Holmes holds a 1-1 record with a 4.97 ERA against the Diamondbacks across six career appearances, including one start.
Brandon Pfaadt's Dominant Comeback
Pfaadt recently saw his streak of 32 2/3 innings without an earned run broken when he conceded five runs and three home runs to the Boston Red Sox. Despite this, the Diamondbacks rallied to win that game 7-6 in 10 innings, ending a three-game losing streak. Pfaadt has been exceptional since his recall from Triple-A Reno on June 30, boasting a 7-0 record with a 1.80 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and only seven walks. The Red Sox's home runs are the only three he has allowed in his last nine outings.
The Impact of Triple-A Stint on Pfaadt's Performance
Pfaadt credits his improved performance to his brief stint in Triple-A Reno in early June. He explained that being removed from the rotation allowed him to focus on refining his pitching. "When I was in the (Diamondbacks') bullpen, we weren't able to work on everything just because I had to be ready for that night," said Pfaadt. He feels that the structured rebuilding of his pitches during that time has put them in "a great spot."
Pfaadt's Pitching Arsenal and Career Record Against the Cubs
Pfaadt utilizes a diverse arsenal of six pitches, including three types of fastballs, a slider, a curve, and a changeup, employing his off-speed pitches approximately 45% of the time. Against the Cubs, his career record stands at 1-2 with a 2.94 ERA over six appearances, with four starts.
