:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69904975/1331642904.0.jpg)
The Dodgers start a series at Chase Field against the Diamondbacks, so it’s fitting that Tony Gonsolin is on the mound to start the opener on Friday night.
Gonsolin has faced the Diamondbacks in eight of his 33 major league appearances, twice as many as any other opponent. Five of his 12 career road starts have been in Phoenix, facing his other seven away foes only once each.
Gonsolin’s opponents
| Opponent | Games/starts | Innings |
|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Games/starts | Innings |
| D-backs | 8/7 | 32⅓ |
| Rockies | 4/3 | 20⅓ |
| Padres | 3/2 | 13⅔ |
| Cardinals | 2/2 | 9 |
| Giants | 3/2 | 8⅓ |
Gonsolin’s road ballparks
| Ballpark | Games/starts | Innings |
|---|---|---|
| Ballpark | Games/starts | Innings |
| Chase Field | 6/5 | 23⅓ |
| Coors Field | 2/1 | 9 |
| Petco Park | 2/1 | 9 |
| Marlins Park | 1/1 | 5⅓ |
| Truist Park | 1/1 | 4 |
Gonsolin’s major league debut was at Chase Field, allowing six runs in four innings back in 2019. He’s done better in Phoenix since, with a 3.72 ERA in five games and 19⅓ innings.
Friday marks Gonsolin’s third start in Arizona this season. He allowed three runs in 5⅓ innings in the first two combined, including walking five while recording only five outs on July 30, Gonsolin’s last start before landing on the injured list with shoulder inflammation for the second time this year.
He’s missed 95 games on the injured list this season, with the effects of the shoulder inflammation showing up in his performance. Gonsolin’s four-seam fastball averaged only 93.4 mph through the end of July, after 95.1 mph in 2020.
In the three September games since his latest activation, Gonsolin is averaging 94.7 mph on his fastball, with a 3.48 ERA and 4.03 FIP in 10⅓ frames. He had a 2.78 ERA and 4.45 FIP before the second IL stint.
Control has been the main bugaboo for Gonsolin, with a 15.9-percent walk rate on the season after 6.7 percent in 2019-20 combined. Diamondbacks batters’ 8.8-percent walk rate is right at the National League average of 8.9 percent.
Humberto Castellanos starts for the D-backs, his fourth start since rejoining Arizona’s rotation in September. In sporadic appearances with the D-backs this season — seven relief games, five starts — the right-hander has a 4.11 ERA and 4.85 FIP in 35 innings.
Castellanos faced the Dodgers once in his two years in the majors, on September 12, 2020 while with the Astros. He allowed a double to Will Smith and a single to Chris Taylor, but also struck out three in a scoreless inning in relief. With Triple-A Reno this year on July 18, Castellanos faced Luke Raley, who was 1-for-3 against him in the game.
Game info
Teams: Dodgers (98-55) at D-backs (49-104)
Location: Chase Field, Phoenix
Time: 6:40 p.m.
TV: SportsNet LA