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It has not been the best of series for the D-backs. Three losses, and three blowout losses at that, with the Braves having outscored the Diamondbacks to this point by a margin of 26-7. That’s quite the reversal from when the two teams met in Atlanta, and Arizona conceded a total of five runs over the three games: two less than in the fifth INNING of Monday’s opening contest. Admittedly, two road games were of the shortened variety, but the difference is clear. Maybe Madison Bumgarner can restore a morsel of pride to the team, avoid the sweep and move them one game closer to avoiding a franchise record for losses. He did seem to handle this powerful Braves’ line-up reasonably well last time, as I recall...
This series has been the first time since 2017 against the Twins, that the Diamondbacks have suffered three blowout losses (defined by Baseball Reference as a defeat by five or more runs) in a row. The last time it happened at Chase Field was slightly over five years ago, at the beginning of August 2016. The Washington Nationals - back when they were good, remember? - came here and clubbed the Diamondbacks, sweeping the series by scores of 1-14, 4-10 and 3-8. That came on the heels of a 14-3 loss to the Dodgers in LA, and is the only time the D-backs have been blown out in four straight games. They can match that record today! I’m sure getting blown out in every contest of a four-game series is also pretty rare...