PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks are treating the New York Yankees series like the playoff series it is not - yet.
Manager Torey Lovullo moved ace Eduardo Rodriguez ahead of Brandon Pfaadt to start Friday's opener at Chase Field, CBS Sports reported, a clear signal that Arizona (80-73) views every remaining game as must-win territory. The Diamondbacks sit four games behind the San Diego Padres (84-69) for the final National League wild-card berth with nine games left.
Chicago and Philadelphia both sit at 85-68 atop the wild-card board. Arizona finishes the season with a three-game set in San Diego next weekend.
"We are very well aware of what is going on," Lovullo said. "We know we are in an absolute dogfight and every game matters. We got to start playing our finest baseball. We got nine games left, and anything's possible."
Anniversary weekend with October stakes
The Yankees (88-64) have already clinched a playoff spot. They arrive for a three-game set that also commemorates the 25th anniversary of Arizona's 2001 World Series title over New York - the franchise's only championship. Former players are expected back, and the club is planning sellouts all weekend. Lovullo said Chase Field will be rocking and that he is excited to start the series.
The contrast is sharp. New York can manage October readiness. Arizona has to win now or watch San Diego finish the job.
The Padres have won 10 of 11, Field Level Media noted in Thursday's roundup, and pushed their cushion over Arizona to four games with a 9-2 win at Colorado. That surge turned a half-game deficit at the start of Arizona's current nine-game homestand into a four-game hole.
The homestand itself has been choppy. Arizona lost two of three to both Texas and Miami in the first six games. Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Marlins ended with the potential tying run thrown out stealing second.
A night earlier, the D-backs left 15 runners on base and went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Merrill Kelly, who took Wednesday's loss, did not soft-pedal the frustration level.
Rodriguez vs. Cole, with Judge in doubt
Rodriguez (15-6, 2.62 ERA) is on pace for a career-low ERA and draws Gerrit Cole (8-9, 3.67) in the opener. Cole has lost three of his last four starts with a 5.96 ERA in that stretch but owns a 3-2 record and 1.96 ERA in six career starts against Arizona, CBS Sports reported.
