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KTE 4/14-4/16 @ Arizona: The Dog Ate My E-Homework

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 13 2014 11:57 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 14 2014 04:24 PM

Electronically-speaking... and I have no time over the next 18 hours to put it back together. Matchups: Monday, 4/14: BeltranBooty vs. RHP Josh Collmenter (2013: 49 G/0 GS, 92 IP, 5-5 record, 3.13 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 85 K/33 BB, 8 HR allowed, 121 ERA+): Started 35 games in 2011-12; called into duty because Randall Delgado previously was there, and currently is fucking terrible. Good changeup, not much else, but he does make it work. You can touch him up, though, if you're patient and/or wield a magnetic wand with skill. "I'm excited to be starting again," said Collmenter on Sunday. "I feel like I didn't get a fair shake before." Tuesday, 4/15: Jje Jjho JJas Control Issues vs. RHP Bronson Arroyo (2013: 32 GS, 202 IP, 14-12 record, 3.79 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 124 K/34 BB, 32 HR allowed, 127 ERA+): The pastrami reuben of NL starters-- a bit aged, a bit cheesy, a bit better than you remember it being, and likely to leave you feeling slightly dyspeptic. Led the league in home runs allowed (again) and embarrassing, eyes-closed covers of Incubus songs (yet again). Wednesday, 4/16: Still Nuthin' But A Thang vs. RHP Brandon McCarthy (2013: 22 GS, 135 IP, 5-11 record, 4.53 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 76 K/21 BB, 13 HR allowed, 84 ERA+): All about control. Not so quick with the fastball velocity, or with ducking. Quicker with the approach adjustment, and on Twitter. Can you help me out with the rest, starting behind the plate?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 14 2014 04:28 AM Re: KTE 4/14-4/16 @ Arizona: The Dog Ate My Homework

Miguel Montero catches. Lefthanded hitter, good for 11 to 15 homers a year. His backup is named TUFFY GOSEWISCH. Tuffy is one of those minor-league vets who makes their big-league debut at age 30.

Frayed Knot Apr 14 2014 06:35 AM Re: KTE 4/14-4/16 @ Arizona: The Dog Ate My Homework

Paul Goldschmidt, when he wasn't making sure that your engagement ring is so perfectly suited to your individual tastes that you'll never want to take it off, took enough time off to lead the NL in HRs, SlgPct, and OPS in 2013 while manning 1B for the DBAcks and finishing 2nd in MVP to Andrew McCutcheon. He already has 9 XBHs so far this year and, IIRC, fields and runs fairly well too. He also, as far as I know, has never contracted Valley Fever (or even Johnny Fever) despite living in Arizona and occasionally visiting Cincinnati.

Fman99 Apr 14 2014 09:12 AM Re: KTE 4/14-4/16 @ Arizona: The Dog Ate My Homework

I hate these West Coast late starts on weeknights. I've all petered out by the 3rd inning or so. Second base manned by Aaron "King of the" Hill, former Toronto Blue Jay (and Syracuse Chief, circa 2005). So far hitting just .233 with 0 HR and 4 RBIs, .292 OBP, .367 SLG. Coming off of a mediocre 2013 after a strong 2012 where he went .302/26/85 and won the Silver Slugger award at 2B. OE: Went deep against Zach Wheeler last year in their matchup, in which Wheeler gave up that HR as the only run allowed in a 4-1 victory.

Frayed Knot Apr 14 2014 11:38 AM Re: KTE 4/14-4/16 @ Arizona: The Dog Ate My Homework

Rumor has it that seven-year Atlanta Brave Martin Prado plays 3B for the NL-worst (4-11) Diamondbacks this year. He was their main guy there last year too after being swapped in the deal that sent out Justin Upton*. The 30 y/o Venezuela native turned in a very respectable though average-ish .282/.333/.417 in over 600+ ABs during his first year in the desert (only slightly below his norm w/the Braves) he'll even play you some 2B, SS and OF if needed. * Justin Upton And Chris Johnson, meaning that the DBacks essentially gave up Justin Upton and a 3Bman for a worse hitting 3Bman. There were a couple minor leaguers as well plus pitcher Randall Delgado (mentioned in LWFS's review above) but unless those kiddies start looking good real quickly this looks like a dog of a deal for the Snakes. It also adds a third truism to the canon: 1) Never get into a land war in Asia 2) Never take on a Sicilian where death is on the line and 3) Never trade with the Braves when they're willing to dump pitchers

Edgy MD Apr 14 2014 11:58 AM Re: KTE 4/14-4/16 @ Arizona: The Dog Ate My Homework

Playing short and keeping Didi Gregorious on the Mets shopping list is Chris Owings. Owings is pretty green, having appeared in only 20 games last season, during which he OPS'd at .742. That's encouraging, but 20 games is 20 games. He hit well in the minors, with good power for a shortstop, but hasn't yet homered in his 108 plate appearances thus far. Only one extra-base hit this season, in fact. He's a South Carolinian, 23 years old. He's credited more frequently with good instincts than a host defensive skills. Some scouts saw him bound for secondbase, but obviously the D-Backs like him at short. Really good at doing the funny Justin-Bieber-babyfaced-badass look: Oh, shit. See how his face is half in shadow? That means I'm going to get my ass kicked!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 14 2014 04:20 PM Re: KTE 4/14-4/16 @ Arizona: The Dog Ate My Homework

Some teams bench Duda-the-Outfielder; others, when they need power enough, trade prime prospects for theirs. Fresh off his semi-winning tour playing "Designated Hitter/First Baseman" in Anaheim's revival of "How To Fail In This Business While Really Trying," Mark Trumbo mans the Corner of AmbivalenceTM for the Snake-People. In all fairness, he does slug like he was born with a bat in his hands; unfortunately, he mostly fields like he was born with a bat in his hands, too. At 6'4" and a listed 235, this Bubba Trammell With Extra 'Bubba' has been the only guy in this lineup whose name doesn't near-rhyme with "All-Told Shit" who's providing above-average offensive (quite a feat, considering he's getting on base at a .292 clip). He's got some value. Not, say, Adam Eaton-plus-Tyler-Skaggs value, but... y'know, value. Dudaesque value. Now, TWO Mark Trumbos? That might be worth Adam Eaton and, say Tyler Skaggs' cousin, Jeff, who can't pitch but is a decent enough dude, and really knows how to put together a nice pregame kale salad. Who's over there in center covering the gap for him, now?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 14 2014 06:47 PM Re: KTE 4/14-4/16 @ Arizona: The Dog Ate My E-Homework Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 14 2014 07:33 PM

Formerly last year's AAAA-ish imitation-crabmeat for injured superprospect Adam Eaton, A. J. Pollock did more than just flop around aimlessly when given his shot at regular playing time; he made with Lagaresian defense, added the bat that we hope for outta Obi Juan (.269/.322/.409 over 482 PA) and some baserunning value, and-- with his overall performance (1.8 bWAR/3.6 fWAR)-- set expectations so high that the Snakes traded their former centerfielder of the future for rusty dimes-on-the-dollar. He's rewarded their faith with replacement-level offense thus far (though the defense hasn't suffered as yet), he's notably worse against righties (.687 OPS/.306 wOBA vs. .760 OPS/.328 wOBA), and-- thus far in his career-- he's significantly worse in higher-leverage situations than in low-leverage ones... anti-clutch, if you will. Whoops? With Cody Ross still out [crossout]with a sore gigantic babyhead[/crossout] while rehabbing that horrible hip thing he suffered against Flushing's Finest last August, the perennially underrated (but perhaps now properly rated) Gerardo Parra will round out the starting lineup at the 9. A defensive, high-energy lefty Venezuelan with colorful popular support, a tendency to make dramatic plays and just enough power to be a pain in the ass, he's basically Hugo Chavez, only skinny and alive. Also, he kinda smiles like he's smelling something terrible. See?

Frayed Knot Apr 14 2014 07:28 PM Re: KTE 4/14-4/16 @ Arizona: The Dog Ate My E-Homework

Geraldo Parra (Great Arm!!) plays RF while former Cub Tony Campana (Great Speed!!) is outfielder #4 25 y/o Addison Reed was an off-season trade acquisition from the ChiSox to fill the role as closer which he did for Chicago since the middle of 2012. Like most teams that once employed Heath Bell in that position, the DBacks were anxious to get out of the Heath Bell business. Like most closers he'll have his share of successes and disasters. 6 appearances this season all for one inning each. 3 saves, 4 runs allowed (2 earned) on 6 hits with 8 Ks and 2 BBs Other bull penners: - Brad Ziegler was briefly the closer last season but looks like hes doing mostly 7th innings right now - Also JJ Putz & Oliver Perez!!!