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KTE - Arizona Diamondbacks, Part II (June 8-11)
Having just played Arizona a week and a half ago we've already learned quite a bit about the enemy courtesy OlerudOwned. Hence this KTE will serve as more of an update than anything, given that the not all that much has changed since then regarding the D'Backs.
Recent Performance: Since dropping 2 of 3 to the Mets, the Diamondbacks have gone all-or-nothing, sweeping four at Turner Field (yes, I'm jealous) but then dropping three to the Phillies at home.
Pitching Matchups:
We're facing the same 3 that pitched against the Mets at Shea...along with a fouth becuase this is a 4 game series and all.
Thu: Claudio Vargas vs. El Duque
Vargas got knocked around pretty well by the Mets and should've taken the loss had Heilman not coughed up the lead (the Mets won on a Wright walkoff). He's still going to throw lots of fastballs, some of which are going to sit in the middle of the plate and be hit long distances. He's got a 6-2 record and when he can avoid the big hit he can sometimes be pretty good.
Fri: Miguel Batista vs. Trachsel
Batista threw the complete game against the Mets last time and is having a pretty decent season. 3 ER or fewer in five of his last 6 starts, and he's won the last 3 in a row. Hitters have a .304 batting average against him but he doesn't allow them in bunches and can be a pretty tough opponent.
Sat: Brandon Webb vs. Soler
Webb is still the best pitcher in the National league. The numbers are great: 8-0, 2.14 ERA, 1.08 WHIP. So far, the only way to win against him has been to outlast him and beat the D'Backs pen. Mets won when Webb pitched on the 1-0 game where Pedro matched zeros with Webb and Chavez had the walkoff in the 13th.
Sun: Russ Ortiz vs. Pedro
Ortiz had been doing pretty crappy when he went on the DL in April and didn't really change that with his first start back against the Phillies a couple days ago. He might not be the most overpaid pitcher in baseball (ex-DBack Randy Johnson might have a claim) but he's in the top 5. Lots of walks, plenty of hits await when Ortiz starts.
D'Backs Lineup:
No real changes:
Craig Counsell SS (L)
Eric Byrnes CF (R)
Chad Tracy 3B (L)
Luis Gonzalez LF (L)
Conor Jackson 1B (R)
Shawn Green RF (L)
Johnny Estrada C (S)
Orlando Hudson 2B (S)
Estrada and Green have both been pretty hot lately, and Hudson's got a 6 game hitting streak going.
Bench:
Same guys as before.
Chris Snyder C (R)
Tony Clark 1B (S)
Damion Easley IF (R)
Andy Green IF/OF (R)
Jeff DaVannon OF (S)
Easley's started 4 of the last 5 games but that's been split between positions so it doesn't seem to be a permanent thing. Backup catcher Chris Snyder will get a start somewhere in the series, probably on Sunday.
Notable Bullpen stuff:
No lefties in the pen.
Brandon Medders is developing into a very good setup guy, repeating the success from his rookie year.
Luis Vizcaino is one of the primary setup guys, a strikeout pitcher having a good year. 0 ER allowed in his last 8 outings.
Jose Valverde had two good relief appearances in his last 2 games, but meltdowns against Cincinnati and the Mets cause him to lose his closer job, at least temporarily, which of course brings us to...
Jorge Julio, who has been nothing short of excellent for the Diamondbacks since the trade. Given the opportunity to close games, he was 2-2 against the Braves. Asked before the Philly series whether Valverde or Julio would be used in save situations, Bob Melvin said "When the [bullpen] gate opens, you'll see."
Ex-DBacks: El Duque, Duaner
Ex-Mets: Tony Clark, Jorge Julio
Who's hurt:
Juan Cruz has a tired right shoulder. 15-day DL.
Terry Mullholland was put on the 15-day DL due to an inner ear infection.
Weather:
"Irrelevant," you say, because of the roof? Maybe not.
While I'm not expecting heavy rain in Phoenix this weekend either, the National Weather Service reveals that the highs will be in the 105-108 range. This of course means the roof will be closed, and if you believe Mssrs. Johnson and Schilling, that should cut down on the home runs.
Grimsley Saga:
Note to Jason: If you're going to order shipments of illegal drugs, maybe you shouldn't have them sent directly to your home. A PO Box, maybe?
Anyway, if you haven't heard, DBack reliever Jason Grimsley asked for and was granted his release from the team following his involvement in the IRS investigation of BALCO. Grimsely has admitted to using 'roids, HGH and amphetamines and his baseball career is effectively over.
As part of the investigation, Grimsley apparently named names of players using HGH (which Baseball doesn't and can't test for). Conventional wisdom says it's only a matter of time before the names are revealed, and the vultures are of course circling. Grimsley's lawyers are now alleging that Grimsley was pressured specifically to get dirt on Bonds, and that the Feds' investigation was specifically targeted at Bonds.
As for this particular series, it's unclear exactly how much of an effect will be present. Grimsely asked for his release in part because he "didn't want to be a distraction" to the team. Hard to say if they'll be seriously affected, other than the obvious media attention.
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