D-Backs rest slew of regulars, snap skid with shutout win vs. Cubs

Ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks' series finale against the Chicago Cubs, mired in a dire slump, manager Torey Lovullo posted a lineup card that could be described as underwhelming at best.

In the midst of a four-game losing streak, the Diamondbacks opted to rest six regulars, most notably using Ildemaro Vargas in the No. 2 spot and Christian Walker in cleanup and at first base over superstar Paul Goldschmidt.

For context, Vargas, Walker, and Patrick Kivlehan had combined for 55 total plate appearances at the major-league level this season entering Wednesday's tilt.

Prior to the game, Lovullo wouldn't admit it was any sort of mass benching or Arizona giving up on the pennant race, instead saying he "just shuffled the deck," per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.

He ended up playing the right cards with his shuffled deck, as the band of bench players exploded for nine runs in support of Robbie Ray's gem, who turned it over to the bullpen in the seventh to complete the 9-0 shutout win. Walker hit a huge three-run home run off of Cole Hamels in the first inning that cashed in Vargas and Ketel Marte.

Arizona is now 3-9 over their past 12 games and will need to continue winning to re-enter the postseason picture. Holding first place in the NL West as recently as Sept. 1, the Diamondbacks have slumped into third and currently sit five games back of the second wild-card spot.