Torey Lovullo talks about D-backs competition, health and Zac Gallen

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo spoke to the media today. Here are some of the topics covered.

Paul Sewald threw a 17-pitch bullpen on Wednesday. The next step for him is to face real hitters, but Lovullo didn’t specify when. Sewald usually throws in the bullpen with two days of rest in between, so if that happens Saturday, he clearly won’t pitch again in the regular season. His availability for a possible postseason roster spot is not yet known.

Ryne Nelson followed a 28-pitch bullpen with one game of catch and is feeling good. Lovullo said they would update reporters on Nelson’s status in terms of activation and intended use (starter or reliever) within the next 24 hours.

While the last few days have been about the situation the D-backs have put themselves in by not winning every game, Lovullo took a different tack. After telling the press that he got seven hours of sleep, he put a positive spin on the team’s current situation.

“We embrace this role and situation. We’ve played these types of games all year long. We got ourselves into this position by playing really good baseball. We won 87 games because we’re a good baseball team.”

This point is often overlooked. Yes, they have struggled recently, but they have also played a lot of good baseball, coming in at nearly 90 wins, and have a chance to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons – only the second time in franchise history.

I asked Lovullo before Wednesday night’s game if it was similar to being down 2-0 in a seven-game playoff series. Game three isn’t an elimination game, but when you’re down 3-0, you have almost no chance of catching up. The manager feels he’s not ready yet.

“I think we need to play four 1-0 games. That’s how I see it. If it was the seventh game, I would say it would be more of an elimination mentality, but I don’t want us to let that distract us.”

Wednesday’s starter, Zac Gallen, has struggled a lot more with his command and control this year compared to recent years. In 2022-23, his strikeout percentage was 65%, this year it’s 62%. His walks per nine innings have increased from 2.0 to 3.3 this year, a 65% increase.

As a result, his number of innings pitched per start increased from 6 to 5.25. 11 times in his 27 starts, he threw 20 or more pitches in the first inning. I asked Lovullo why he thought that.

“It’s just an inch off. I don’t know why it’s an inch off. Maybe the same pitch just doesn’t count as a right pitch. Maybe he throws it too far off and it’s not a strike. It’s not a question of pitch, it’s not a question of feel, it’s not a question of speed, it’s just a one-inch adjustment.”

Whatever the reason, Gallen needs to be at their best and produce one of their best games of the year. This is the time of year when your best players need to step up and get the job done.

Gallen has done it before. Last September, he threw a complete game hitless in a key moment. Facing an out in Game 5 of the World Series, he threw six hitless innings before allowing three hits and a run in the seventh inning.

The Giants have thrown a lot of power at the D-backs in the last two games, including eight home runs, four doubles and a triple. Lovullo said they’ve discussed it and for Zac and the other relievers who may come into play, they just need to stay out of the Giants’ honey holes.