Diamondbacks Look to End Skid Against Struggling Pirates on Memorial Day

Phoenix, Arizona — The Arizona Diamondbacks are aiming to break a five-game losing streak as they face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Memorial Day evening.

Arizona has struggled recently, falling to a record of 26-27 after being swept by the St. Louis Cardinals last weekend. The Diamondbacks hope their home field advantage will help them bounce back against a struggling Pirates team with a record of 19-35.

Starting for Arizona is pitcher Ryne Nelson (1-1, 4.60 ERA), who despite a lofty ERA, has shown some effectiveness on the mound. His advanced metrics suggest he could be due for a better performance, especially against a Pittsburgh offense that ranks last in Major League Baseball in runs per game.

Corbin Carroll has been a standout for the Diamondbacks, hitting 15 home runs this season and going 4-for-10 with two homers against Pittsburgh’s Andrew Heaney in their previous encounters. Heaney, with a 2.91 ERA, has had a tough time against the Diamondbacks historically and has allowed nine home runs this season, which could make him vulnerable to Arizona’s potent lineup.

On the other side, the Pirates have shown some improvement winning four of their last six games, but their overall offensive performance remains weak. They are currently last in the league for RBIs and slugging percentage. Oneil Cruz shines with 11 home runs, but he cannot carry the team alone.

The Diamondbacks’ offense ranks ninth in the league, averaging 5.04 runs per game, which gives them a significant edge over Pittsburgh. In their last 10 night games against the Pirates, Arizona has demonstrated dominance, leading in nine of those games.

Tonight’s game presents a betting opportunity. The Diamondbacks are favored, and many analysts suggest taking Arizona at -1.5. They have won 10 of their last 11 home games against NL Central teams following a loss, making this matchup promising.

As the Diamondbacks look to shake off their recent slump, they enter the game with confidence that their lineup can exploit Pittsburgh’s weaknesses. The matchup could mark a return to form for Arizona as they aim to secure a much-needed victory at home.