CHICAGO — Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez is getting his first day off this season, with manager Torey Lovullo saying he had been eyeing this day on the calendar for a while.
The Sunday, April 20, game has been delayed by rain. The game is scheduled for a noon MST (2 p.m. in Chicago) start.
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Lovullo is giving Suarez the day despite his strong career numbers against Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon, whom he twice took deep on March 28 at Chase Field.
“I felt like Geno needed a day off,” Lovullo said. “I’m trying to balance that out the best that I can. I know what the conditions are, what the matchup looked like, but I’ve got to, every once in a while, get people off their feet and give them a blow.”
Lovullo said he wanted to combine the day off on April 20 with the April 21 scheduled off day in hopes of allowing Suarez to fully recharge.
RHP Merrill Kelly (3-1, 5.57) vs. Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (1-1, 5.40).
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At Wrigley Field: Kelly was sharp in his most recent outing, giving up just one run in six innings against the Marlins last week in Miami. He struck out nine and walked one in what was his best start yet this season. … Kelly’s four-seam fastball has been hit hard this year, with opponents owning a .296 average and .741 slugging off it. … Kelly has a 3.49 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs. … Taillon was hit hard in his first outing – he gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings in an outing against the Diamondbacks – but has been better over his past three, posting a 3.63 ERA in 17 1/3 innings. … He is getting whiffs on 44.1 percent of the swings taken against his sweeper. … 3B Eugenio Suarez has hit Taillon well, going 9 for 34 (.265) with two doubles and five homers.
Monday, April 21: Off.
Tuesday, April 22: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (3-1, 3.04) vs. Rays RHP Zack Littell (0-4, 5.48).
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Wednesday, April 23: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 4.09) vs. Rays RHP Taj Bradley (2-1, 5.24).
Thursday, April 24: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Corbin Burnes (0-1, 4.64) vs. Rays RHP Drew Rasmussen (1-1, 0.87).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks vs Cubs in rain delay: Eugenio Suarez out
