Diamondbacks vs Braves schedule and probable pitchers

The Atlanta Braves return to action on Friday when they will close out the first half of the 2018 season with a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Atlanta split a two-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays to begin the home stand and are 4-6 over their last 10 games.

The Diamondbacks enter the series scuffling a bit as well having lost two straight and six of their last 10 games. They most recently dropped 2-of-3 in Colorado.

This is the first meeting between the two teams this season. Atlanta will travel to Arizona in September for a three-game set at Chase Field.

Friday, July 13, 7:35 p.m. ET (Fox Sports South)

Zack Godley (19 G, 18 GS, 10-6 W-L, 22.5 K%, 11.6 BB%, 4.80 ERA, 4.42 FIP, 4.15 xFIP)

Zack Godley will get the start for Arizona in the opener. Godley was originally slated to start Thursday’s series finale but was given an extra day of rest after he was forced to throw an inning of relief in a 16-inning loss to the Padres last Sunday.

In his last start, Godley allowed four hits and one run over six innings against the Padres. His relief appearance came two nights later in which he allowed one hit in a scoreless inning.

Godley has struggled in two career appearances against Atlanta allowing 17 hits and 13 earned runs in just 11 innings.

Anibal Sanchez (11 G, 10 GS, 4-2 W-L, 23.3 K%, 7.9 BB%, 2.72 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 4.14 xFIP)

There has been plenty of surprises to go around for the Braves during the first half of the season but none may be more surprising than the success of Anibal Sanchez.

Sanchez has been a stabilizing presence for Atlanta’s rotation compiling a 2.72 ERA in 10 appearances. He has shown great command with all of his pitches so far this season. Sanchez carried a shutout into the seventh inning of his last start. He allowed just two hits and one run while striking out a season-high eight batters over 6 2/3 innings against the Brewers.

Saturday, July 14, 4:10 p.m. ET (Fox Sports South, MLB Network)

Zack Greinke (19 GS, 9-5 W-L, 25.0 K%, 4.9 BB%, 3.39 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 3.41 xFIP)

Zack Greinke will get the nod for the Diamondbacks on Saturday and will be looking to continue a dominant stretch.

Greinke began the season slow but has rounded into form as it has progressed. He has allowed a total of four runs over his past four starts. He ran up a high pitch count and exited after just 4 1/3 while allowing six hits and two runs against the Padres.

Greinke has a 2.94 ERA in eight career starts against the Braves.

Sean Newcomb (18 GS, 8-4 W-L, 23.0 K%, 11.8 BB%, 3.44 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 4.24 xFIP)

Atlanta will counter on Saturday with left-handler Sean Newcomb who will be looking to bounce back after a couple of rough outings.

Newcomb got off to a wonderful start this season but has been battered of late. He struggled with his grip in humid conditions two starts ago in New York where he allowed five runs in a season-low 2 2/3 innings. He didn’t fare much better in his next start allowing five more runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Brewers.

After walking just 10 batters the entire month of June (5 starts) Newcomb has walked nine in just 6 1/3 innings in July. He needs a good start to finish off his first half on a high note.

Sunday, July 15, 1:35 p.m. ET (Fox Sports South)

Patrick Corbin (19 GS, 6-3 W-L, 31.3 K%, 7.3 BB%, 3.09 ERA, 2.80 FIP, 2.70 xFIP)

Arizona lefty Patrick Corbin will start Sunday’s series finale. Corbin has turned in an All-Star worthy first half and was rewarded by being named to the National League squad.

Since allowing five runs in back-to-back starts in the middle of June, Corbin has allowed just four runs total in his last four starts. He ran up a high pitch count in his last start and exited after 4 1/3 while allowing five hits and two runs against the Rockies.

Corbin has been dominant in his career against Atlanta posting a 0.98 ERA in seven career appearances against the Braves. He has allowed just four runs over 36 2/3 innings against Atlanta while striking out 33 batters.

Julio Teheran (18 GS, 6-6 W-L, 22.2 K%, 11.6 BB%, 4.26 ERA, 5.20 FIP, 4.69 xFIP)

The Braves will turn to Julio Teheran in Sunday’s series finale and he will be hoping to head into the break on a high note. Teheran has alternated good and bad starts since returning from the disabled list on June 17.

He leaned heavily on his slider in his last outing allowing just three hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings against the Blue Jays. Teheran has pitched well in his career against the Diamondbacks going 3-1 with a 3.15 ERA in seven career starts.