Miami @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2019 ) Miami 5, Arizona 7

The Arizona Diamondbacks remain alive in the National League wild-card race but badly need to string together some victories. The Diamondbacks, whose 7-5 win in the series opener was just their second in nine games, host the Miami Marlins on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set.

Arizona's struggles came at a bad time as the club has fallen 5 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs for the NL's second wild card with just 11 contests remaining. Jake Lamb delivered a decisive three-run double in the seventh inning on Monday as part of his season-best four-RBI performance. The Marlins have lost nine of their last 11 contests and are two defeats away from the dubious achievement of losing 100 games for the third time in franchise history. Neil Walker belted a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the series opener - just his second blast since June 29.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Caleb Smith (8-10, 4.13 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Alex Young (7-4, 3.38)

Smith has gone 0-4 over his last five starts, yielding five or more runs in three of the turns. The 28-year-old lost to Milwaukee in his last outing as he gave up three runs and six hits over 5 2/3 innings. Smith defeated Arizona on July 29, when he registered nine strikeouts while permitting four runs and four hits over seven frames, and is 1-1 with a 7.36 ERA in two career starts versus the Diamondbacks.

Young lost to the New York Mets in his last turn, when he gave up six runs - one earned - and five hits over 2 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old was superb in his previous outing as he notched a season-high 12 strikeouts while allowing two hits over eight scoreless frames against Cincinnati. Young recorded his first major-league victory against the Marlins on July 27 after giving up two runs and eight hits over six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks RHP Archie Bradley (back) was unavailable in the series opener but is expected back Tuesday.

2. Miami OF Lewis Brunson went 2-for-4 on Monday after going 5-for-34 over his previous 12 contests.

3. Arizona SS Nick Ahmed (finger) departed the series opener in the eighth inning after his throwing hand was struck by a grounder he was fielding and will be re-evaluated on Tuesday, according to MGR Torey Lovullo.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 9, Marlins 5