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Getting a good jump on the second half of the season has been crucial for the Arizona Diamondbacks to remain right in the thick of things in the NL West. And with the struggling New York Mets coming to town for a four-game set, the D-backs are ready to drop the hammer.
Arizona has gone 7-6 since the All-Star break, while New York has won just once, owning a 1-11 mark. Sitting six games back of the Giants at the moment, this four-game set could prove very important as the Giants and Dodgers will beat each other up this weekend.
Wade Miley (11-5, 3.02) will take on Matt Harvey in his MLB debut on Thursday. Miley was solid in his last start, pitching seven innings of one run ball for his second straight win. First pitch is set at 6:40 p.m. with coverage on Fox Sports Arizona and KTAR.
Josh Collmenter (2-2, 3.82) takes the bump to take on Jonathan Niese (7-4, 3.59) on Friday. The hatchet man earned the win in his return to the rotation in his last start, throwing six innings of two run ball. As for Niese, he's had back-to-back quality starts but no decisions to show for them as the Mes lost them both. First pitch is set at 6:40 p.m. with coverage on Fox Sports Arizona and KTAR.
Ian Kennedy (8-8, 4.20) will face Chris Young (2-4, 3.91) on Saturday. Kennedy's lasted eight innings in his last two starts, both of them wins, while Young threw seven innings of two run ball in his last start but hasn't won a game since June 28. First pitch is at 5:10 on Fox Sports Arizona and KTAR.
Joe Saunders (5-6, 3.51) takes on R.A. Dickey (13-2, 2.97) in Sunday's finale. Saunders earned his fifth win of the year in his last start, seven innings of two-run ball. As for Dickey, he took only his second loss of the year in his last start, after giving up five runs in six innings. First pitch is at 1:10 on Fox Sports Arizona and KTAR.
For more on the Diamondbacks, check out AZ Snake Pit.
