The Diamondbacks wrap up their three-game weekend series with the Texas Rangers and then host the Miami Marlins before welcoming the New York Yankees this week.
This year's staff ace, Eduardo Rodriguez, is expected to start the finale against the Rangers' Cal Quantrill.
The Marlins began a series with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, Sept. 11, six games behind the Diamondbacks in the National League wild-card hunt.
Miami is led by shortstop Otto Lopez, who was hitting .303/.342/.441 with 10 home runs and 30 stolen bases. Heriberto Hernandez has 24 home runs in only 115 games played.
Right-hander Sandy Alcantara, who has won 13 games with a 3.78 ERA, anchors the pitching staff and was lined up to face Corbin Burnes in the series opener.
The Yankees,
in a frustrating chase for the AL East lead (they trailed the Tampa Bay Rays by three games entering the weekend), have withstood the absence of Aaron Judge and are comfortably in wild-card position.
Judge (broken rib) played two games in Colorado in his first action since May 31. He missed 84 games.
Designated hitter Ben Rice was the only Yankees player with 20+ home runs entering the weekend, bashing 36 this season.
Cam Schlittler, the scheduled starter against the New York Mets on Sunday, Sept. 13, has 13 wins, a 2.01 ERA and 220 strikeouts in only 178 1/3 innings.
The Friday night (Sept. 18) pitching matchup has right-hander Gerrit Cole tentatively slated to face the Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks' wild-card drama continues as Marlins, Yankees come to town
