It is Zac vs. Zach today: D-backs’ Gallen (2.32 ERA) and Pirates’ Thompson (5.18 ERA) On paper, it would appear to be no contest. At 4-0, Gallen has been very effective this year, however his ERA has climbed from .60 in April to 3.06 in May. He doesn’t usually pitch for length.

April was a very cruel month for Thompson, with a 10.05 ERA and more ER than innings pitched, but he has been much, much better in May, with an ERA of 2.45. Like Gallen, his starts have been on the short side.

The Pirates, after sweeping the Dodgers, have split the first two games vs. Arizona. The Pirates’ bullpen has been very good over their last 10 days, and the lowly Pirates’ offense has been pretty good lately, hitting for average and power. The Diamondbacks have owned the Pirates in recent meetings, and are a sizable favorite for no real reason today. The Pirates’ bullpen has been much sharper, and neither pitcher will likely pitch deep into the game. Here is a decent dawg with a very good chance of having its day.