Game Preview: Game 127 @ Arizona Diamondbacks

Our last trip to Arizona turned out to be a very successful one. Not only did our Padres take the series, but they made history by completing the first ever three-game sweep at Chase Field. Tonight they'll begin their attempt to continue that success as they kick off another series against the Diamondbacks.

Patrick Corbin will try to nip it in the bud when he takes the mound for Arizona tonight. The rookie left-hander was recalled from the minors at the beginning of August and has since made four starts, three of which he came out with wins. He struggled a little in his last start, however, giving up four runs in seven innings to the last place Astros. On July 3rd, the middle game of our Padres' sweep at Chase Field, Corbin threw 4 1/3 innings in relief, surrenduring two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk, but striking out six.

Our Padres will counter with a lefty of our own, Eric Stults. He is 2-1 all-time against the Dbacks, but hasn't pitched in Arizona since 2009 when he was a Dodger. He did face them at Petco Park earlier this season, but suffered the loss as he allowed six runs (three earned) on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. He gave up three home runs in that game, more than half of his season total of five home runs given up. He hopes to have better luck tonight at Chase Field as he tries to bounce back from his most recent start, an 8-7 loss to the Giants at home, where he allowed five earned runs on nine hits in six innings. He had given up no more than two runs in each of his six starts prior to that.

Arizona is currently in third place in the division behind the Giants and Dodgers, and fifth in the NL wild card race. They just completed the first sweep of a doubleheader at home in franchise history and have now won six of their last eight games. They come into this series looking to redeem themselves from our last visit to Chase Field. And if they win tonight, they will even up the season series at five games each.

Our Padres come into this series hoping history repeats itself and looking to dominate once more in Arizona. Having scored 28 runs over their past five games, and on a four-game win streak, our boys will try to do some more ruining and make the Dbacks' postseason push much harder.