Diamondbacks lookahead: Second-place Padres, last-place Rockies in town

With the MLB trade deadline in the rear view mirror, the Diamondbacks wrap up a three-game series in Sacramento against the Athletics on Sunday, Aug. 3. Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez is scheduled to start for Arizona at Sutter Health Park.

The game concludes a nine-game road trip. When the Diamondbacks return to Phoenix, they will be at Chase Field for three games against the San Diego Padres, Aug. 4-6, then the Colorado Rockies, Aug. 8-10.

Facing a division rival that is contending for a National League wild card spot, the Diamondbacks could certainly use a sweep of the Padres to help keep alive their own fading postseason hopes.

The Diamondbacks took two of three from the Padres at home in June and split a four-game series in San Diego from July 7-10. They'll face the Padres to end the regular season in September.

The Padres have taken control of second place in the NL West behind the Dodgers, with the Giants having fallen to a clear third place. All-Star third baseman Manny Machado paces the offense, but the Padres have solid hitters in Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arraez and Jackson Merrill.

The bullpen is one of the best in the majors, and on June 29 led MLB in saves with 36. Robert Suarez has most of those.

The Rockies have by far the most losses and fewest wins among MLB teams, and that will be the case when their series with the Diamondbacks starts. Arizona has taken four of six meetings this season, with seven games left between the two teams.

Aug. 9 is Corbin Carroll Star Wars-themed bobblehead night at Chase Field for the first 20,000 fans to arrive.