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The Arizona Diamondbacks hope to recover from the blow dealt to their postseason hopes, being swept in three games over the weekend by the San Diego Padres, when they open a three-game series against the NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds Monday night in Phoenix.
The Diamondbacks have committed to a young starting rotation to get them where they want to be, and on Monday Arizona turns to recently-debuted Tyler Skaggs, 21, who faces veteran Bronson Arroyo. The Diamondbacks (64-64) are 5-5 in their last 10 games but are seven games out of first place in the NL West and five out of second.
The Diamondbacks are 6 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot in the NL, so every series is critical. The Reds (77-52) are moving toward locking up their division and wins will soon trigger the "magic numbers" for teams trying to catch them.
Skaggs is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA, Arroyo 10-7 with a 3.87 ERA. In fact, the Reds' three starters for the series are all 10-game winners -- Arroyo, Johnny Cueto (16-6, 2.47) and Mat Latos (10-4, 3.84). The Diamondbacks counter with Skaggs, All-Star Wade Miley (14-8, 2.80 ERA) and another youngster, Patrick Corbin (5-5, 3.91) on Wednesday afternoon.
All games can be seen live on Fox Sports Arizona, Monday and Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. and Wednesday at 12:40 p.m. PT.
For more on the Diamondbacks, head over to AZ Snake Pit.