AZ Snakepit: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Check out our NFL Scoreboard: scores, schedule and blogs Bar-right-arrows

Gameday Thread, #1: 3/31 vs. Reds

Mrsnakepit_tiny by Jim McLennan on

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Cincinnati Reds


Ari_medium

Brandon Webb
RHP, 0-0, 0.00

Cin_medium

Aaron Harang
RHP, 0-0, 0.00

Seems to be a lot of enthusiasm for the thread, so I'm not going to delay posting it any longer. For here we go, folks! The first game of the 2008 takes place in Cincinnati this morning (Arizona time), which is kinda weird. Seems like ages since we had Opening Day at Chase, but it's only 2005 - and if you remember that game [two words: Javier Vazquez], you'll know why we're quite happy to be on the road. Webb gets the Opening Day start, of course, his third for the team though he has yet to figure in a decision. In 2006 he had a chance for victory when we took a 2-1 lead over the Rockies in the 8th, but Terry Mulholland blew the lead. Last season, he lasted only five innings - tied for his shortest outing of the year - but left with the scores level at 5-5, but we won it 8-6.

His spring has been mediocre, with an ERA of 8.50 in 18 innings. But he's the pitcher I'm least worried about: after the past two seasons, Webb has nothing to prove in the pre-season, and judging by his walk rate [one in those 18 frames], it seems he was pitching to contact. Harang had a good spring, with a 2.86 ERA in 22 innings; more significantly, last season he was 16-6 with 3.73 ERA. He's been remarkably consistent: his 2007 figures for ER, HR, BB and K were all within four of the 2006 numbers.

Last season, the Reds finished fifth in the Central, with a 75-87 record, but over on divisional rivals Viva El Birdos, they were described last month as, "The most underrated team in the division and possibly the league." The writer does find the Reds as weak on defense, and that could play into an aggressive running game from Arizona, taking the extra base to the corner outfielders, for example. I don't think we'll be taking them lightly, and need to make sure we take full advantage of our pitching advantage in the first two match-ups.

This will be our first chance to enjoy the new Gameday Threads experience, and there are a number of exciting new features - but I'd better not say what they are, in case they don't work! ;-) [For obvious reasons, this side of things has been almost impossible for the techgods to test thoroughly] The auto-refreshing of comments has already been discovered and works very nicely, it seems. If you notice any problems, however, let me know and I'll send them on up.

The forecast is still questionable, with a 60% chance of precipitation, but they're saying it'll only be "light rain/showers," so hopefully we can dodge the rain-drops. The beer is chillig, the snacks are on the table in the living-room, and the laptop is charging, ready for action. Optimism is unbridled, as we haven't been beaten in over five months. :-) So, let's go, Diamondbacks!

0 recs | Comment 674 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

I just wanted to make the first comment of the season

Opening day is here and a mysterious calm has settled over the world. The Israelis and Palestinians are embracing each other with hugs. The Catholics and Protestants have set aside their differences to done hats emblazoned with a snake in the shape of a "D". The sun is out, the birds are chirping and baseball is here to stay. Everything is right in the world again.

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 11:52 AM EDT   0 recs

Yeah!

Thanks Jim!

It's been a long cold winter without baseball.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 11:52 AM EDT   0 recs

Oh yeah

I missed seeing the D-Backs all winter too, but I switch over to following the Suns. Following the Suns and D-Backs is practically like having a 2nd full-time job!

by TwinnerA on Mar 31, 2008 5:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

How's the weather

shaping up? Radar on weather.com isn't too promising....
and we haven't had a drop of rain in 5 weeks now, why o why are we opening on the road again?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 11:56 AM EDT   0 recs

Rain Delay or Cancellation

Will probably kill me. Sorry if I'm being dramatic here, but maybe someone should send the commissioner's office a picture of Chase so he knows that EVEN IN THE ONE IN MILLION CHANCE it actually rains we have this thing called a ROOF.

by Wactivist on Mar 31, 2008 11:58 AM EDT   0 recs

There's an off-day tomorrow...

For a reason. :-( But I would imagine they will do what they can to play the game, even if it's through the showers. We do have all day, y'know!

by Jim McLennan on Mar 31, 2008 12:00 PM EDT   0 recs

squeeeeeee

I'm so happy

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Mar 31, 2008 12:11 PM EDT   0 recs

*cough cough* - I'll try and see if I'm feeling well enough *hack hack, cough cough* to be able to catch the game from home...somehow this sickness hit me yesterday and wasn't able to make it into work today ;)

Seriously, thank goodness for wireless access and a good laptop -- makes multi-tasking perfect at opportune times like this. (and I really am sick -- seriously :)

go Dbacks!

by dstorm on Mar 31, 2008 12:25 PM EDT   0 recs

OPENING DAY PREDICTION: First D-Backs Hit

Sooo .... reply to this to tell everyone which of our boys will get the first hit of the season (for extra points say inning).

by Wactivist on Mar 31, 2008 12:51 PM EDT   0 recs

drew

in the first, with a candlestick

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 12:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

O-Dawg in the first, and for extra extra points, I'll say it's a double.

Formerly known as Devin.
Well, you know, still known as Devin in the real world. But not here.

by kishi on Mar 31, 2008 1:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Brynes

Eric Byrnes in the first because he really needs to start hitting!

by 4 Corners Fan on Mar 31, 2008 1:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Young

lead off home run. picking up where he left off last season.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 1:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

oh i am sooo rooting for this to happen but was a little too

superstitious to say it .. now that you have broken the ice i'm down with this too ... BUT it isn't my prediction (i haven't decided yet)

by Wactivist on Mar 31, 2008 1:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Love this

Oh, Oh, OH! I love the comment auto-update!!

by 4 Corners Fan on Mar 31, 2008 1:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

At the risk of putting a damper on things... :-(

I just played AZ vs. CIN on my mobile phone, with Webb starting for us, and we lost 6-2. :-( However, I should point out that our starting roster included Troy Glaus, Craig Counsell and Luis Terrero.

I must really get round to downloading a new baseball game for my phone..

With regard to the question, I think Jackson will open our account with a two-out single in the first, following a walk to O-Dawg.

by Jim McLennan on Mar 31, 2008 1:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I have the ps3 and mlb the show 08 is amazing

one of the greatest features is since it connects to the internet - the makers have weekly roster updates you can download for the game and for the full season. I actually need to login and see if romero is added! Also ... I wonder if they have updated the quality of the hitters (snyder, young, burke) for their bad ass spring ...

by Wactivist on Mar 31, 2008 1:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

*adds another entry to the list of reasons he wants a PS3*

Formerly known as Devin.
Well, you know, still known as Devin in the real world. But not here.

by kishi on Mar 31, 2008 1:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I've got a wii

yet to make a game with the quality of the show for it. 2K8 is ok, nothing great though, glitchy and a bit rushed.

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 1:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm watching KC Detroit on the free extra innings preview

...(wish I would have known it was free until the 4/6) ... I tink i'm gonna turn off this game, fire up the ps3 and see if I can't get a simulation for everyone as well. Wow -- I am REALLY playing rookie today.

by Wactivist on Mar 31, 2008 1:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Out of curiosity...

Have you heard anything about the PS2 version? I won't be getting a PS3 any time soon (/ever), and I enjoyed 06 thoroughly (that might have the best play-by-play I've seen in a video game...Matt Vasgersian is the only good thing about the Padres). Just wondering if it's worth dropping 40 bucks or so on.

by Azreous on Mar 31, 2008 1:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah it is good

The gameplay is still really solid and if you have an ethernet cable you can connect online to dload rosters still too ...

The game is really really fun -- but I don't play it alone too much. The main thing I do is play seven game rivalry after rivalry against my buddy. That is amazingly fun --- though we do get a little intense at times.

by Wactivist on Mar 31, 2008 1:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I hear you there.

Unfortunately, even though my roommates will play alongside me for full seasons of basketball and hockey, none of them seem to want in on baseball (although they will watch our entirely created roster in action). So I'll be flying solo. But I might have to go pick 08 up after the game today.

by Azreous on Mar 31, 2008 1:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

bear with me here

Joe Morgan has some pretty good commentary in 2K8. It glitches alot but what he says is pretty good.

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 1:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm feeling Snyder ...

I hope he isn't the first, but I'm thinking it is gonna be him.

by Wactivist on Mar 31, 2008 1:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll say...

O-Dawg, opposite field single.

by Azreous on Mar 31, 2008 1:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yahoo has lineups posted:

ARIZONA
CF Young
2B Hudson
LF Byrnes
1B Jackson
C Snyder
3B Reynolds
SS Drew
RF Upton
P Webb

CINCINNATI
CF Patterson
SS Keppinger
RF Griffey Jr.
2B Phillips
LF Dunn
3B Encarnacion
1B Hatteberg
C Valentin
P Harang

Interesting to see Snyder in the 5 hole, but given his performance in the spring, it isn't too surprising.

by Azreous on Mar 31, 2008 1:09 PM EDT   0 recs

i wanna change mine!

I thought drew would be hitting a little higher. I'll go with Drew in the second.

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 1:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Aw, come on! Can't we hope for a freak, multiple-walk inning from Harang before Drew gets our first hit?

Formerly known as Devin.
Well, you know, still known as Devin in the real world. But not here.

by kishi on Mar 31, 2008 1:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I remember way back

when Snyder was just starting out. On another site (before I found Snakepit) several of the fans wanted to dump the 'bum'. I can't tell you how pleasing it is to now remind those short sighted "fans" the error of their impatience.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 1:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Okay, I'm ready for today to be awesome. I just got a package with some t-shirts I ordered a while back, my wife finished the last chapter of her thesis which just needs editing (which means we're one step closer to moving back to Phoenix), I've got some tea to keep me warm (and ignore the snow outside), and baseball on TV. Let's go!

Formerly known as Devin.
Well, you know, still known as Devin in the real world. But not here.

by kishi on Mar 31, 2008 1:09 PM EDT   0 recs

Oh, and I have the cookies I made yesterday. Peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip, they're delicious.

Formerly known as Devin.
Well, you know, still known as Devin in the real world. But not here.

by kishi on Mar 31, 2008 1:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

According to the techgods

"There will be a regularly updating linescore at the top of this thread and at the top of the blog it's not real-time, but probably updates every few minutes or so. The lineups will not automatically appear...although we're working on that for later down the road."

by Jim McLennan on Mar 31, 2008 1:23 PM EDT   0 recs

Huh.

Things just keep getting more and more comprehensive. That'll be handy when I'm at work and can't get away with GameDay or its alternatives.

by Azreous on Mar 31, 2008 1:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmmm.... Fantasy Dilemna

It appears Harang is my starting ace this week..... will I be lynched here for wishing for a 1-0 Dback victory, with the only hit being a solo Justin Upton homer in the 9th?

Didn't think this AZ Snakepit league would start messing with my opening day loyalties :)

by dstorm on Mar 31, 2008 1:26 PM EDT   0 recs

The joys of fantasy baseball... Let me show you them :-)

Pardon me if I don't share your desires in this area. It is FAR too early for my ulcers to start swelling up! I would far rather have a Opening Day blowout victory for Arizona, perhaps something like the one inflicted on us in 2005. Yes, the idea of scoring 15 runs and getting that run differential dog put to sleep early, definitely appeals...

by Jim McLennan on Mar 31, 2008 1:30 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

lol

the problem with joining a league with a bunch of Dback fans is the only "scraps" left over in the free agent market are the likes of Augie Ojeda..... Who's the lucky sucker who gets to cheer on Brandon Webb today?

I'm with you however, a 15-0 win would be great

by dstorm on Mar 31, 2008 1:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

MLB The Show Simulation

I just d-loaded the new rosters (romero isn't on there but the rest is fine) and set up a simulation with the same lineups etc that we have today ... lets see how this goes.

by Wactivist on Mar 31, 2008 1:30 PM EDT   0 recs

SIMULATION: Lead off double by CY

bynsey hits him in ... then patterson gets a leadoff homer ..

ari-1
cin-1

i'm gonna skip now to like the fourth ...

by Wactivist on Mar 31, 2008 1:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Now in the fifth -- score is

cin 3
ari 2

We scored our run off a drew solo shot
valentin had a two shot homer ...

the bad simulatin news so far are the two dback errors (drew and young)


now to the eighth

Crap ... this isn't looking good for this simulation -- I skipped ahead and the score is cin 7 ari 2 harang is still in the game, but webb has been done for awhile. Looks like this is going about as poorly as the one Jim did on his phone ... now to finish it up ...

Final ...

yikes .... i'll post the boxscore of the simulation in a reply to this ...

by Wactivist on Mar 31, 2008 1:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I took pictures of the full dbacks boxscore of the simulation I ran -- crudely pasted them together and uploaded them .... it is so painful to look at even though it is fake that I am only going to LINK it so only those brave enough to look will need to see.

CLICK HERE FOR SIMULATION BOXSCORE

by Wactivist on Mar 31, 2008 1:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bah! Bah, I say!

I make a Will Save to disbelieve.

Formerly known as Devin.
Well, you know, still known as Devin in the real world. But not here.

by kishi on Mar 31, 2008 2:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Computers hate AZ

We lose your sim 7-2, and my game 6-2. I think they must rely far too much on run differential.

by Jim McLennan on Mar 31, 2008 2:07 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Must be how Al and Bickley are picking the NL West this year then.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 2:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Here's how it look in Cincinatti

This is the time of year when living anywhere else but Arizona - as I sit here in my shorts with the back door wide open - seems like insanity..

by Jim McLennan on Mar 31, 2008 1:35 PM EDT   0 recs

bite me

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 1:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh yes,

the dreary mid-west. So glad i left it.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 1:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

if it's any consolation

I plan to retire in AZ. Makes sense since I plan on owning the DBacks by then

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 1:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Such lofty goals!

You'd better give us all lifetime passes then!

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 1:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

oh but of course

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 1:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Harumph

Outside looks like this for me.

Formerly known as Devin.
Well, you know, still known as Devin in the real world. But not here.

by kishi on Mar 31, 2008 1:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Save that picture

for those of us here in the desert. It might come in handy say about late July.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 1:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh, I'll be stockpiling memories of the snow. I'm moving back down to the Phoenix just in time for summer.

Formerly known as Devin.
Well, you know, still known as Devin in the real world. But not here.

by kishi on Mar 31, 2008 1:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Summer?

Isn't it already "summer" in Phx? At least for persons who have lived in mountainous areas for several years? I don't think you need to wait until May for "summer" in Phx.

by 4 Corners Fan on Mar 31, 2008 1:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Not yet! we are still in a mild spring pattern. Heck, I get cold when it's below 80ยบ anymore. I really thrive in the heat.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 1:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I deleted the simulation comment

From the bottom in case it caused any panic among late-arrivals. :-) Yeah, the 'Up' button is just for the parent thread.

The key button to remember this morning is Z, which will mark the comment you're on as read and move you to the next unread one.

by Jim McLennan on Mar 31, 2008 1:43 PM EDT   0 recs

One other habit to break...

From the looks of Devin's comments, it seems you're not required to have a header anymore, which I always found annoying.

by Azreous on Mar 31, 2008 1:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah. I'm thrilled with that.

Formerly known as Devin.
Well, you know, still known as Devin in the real world. But not here.

by kishi on Mar 31, 2008 1:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

it'll be a tough habit to stop

CRAP! did it again

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 1:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No Prob

I think it works fine with or without the header...we're used to reading them, so they aren't distracting.

by 4 Corners Fan on Mar 31, 2008 1:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

is it wrong that i'm giddy about this

I LOVE THE Z BUTTON!

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 1:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

no, it's not wrong

Z really is the best thing ever

I'm one of four guys who built SB Nation 2.0. We are like the Borg, but friendly.

by sixfoot6 on Mar 31, 2008 1:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

15-30 minute delay "at least"

According to our colleagues on Red Reporter

by Jim McLennan on Mar 31, 2008 1:44 PM EDT   0 recs

One other thought...

If we don't destroy the record for posts in one GameDay thread today, I'll be very disappointed.

by Azreous on Mar 31, 2008 1:46 PM EDT   0 recs

Yikes

Wouldn't that require us to hit four digits?

Formerly known as Devin.
Well, you know, still known as Devin in the real world. But not here.

by kishi on Mar 31, 2008 1:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

or at least come damn close

we'll get a solid 500 i believe

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 1:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

We're missing a few posters. someone call snakecharner.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 1:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll do my best

to post from Chinese class but the connection in there isn't too good. So I'll do my best but can't guarantee anything.

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 1:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm skipping a Physics class, which I probably shouldn't be... Oh well, thank goodness for online lecture notes.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 1:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

seriously thought about skipping

but not today. First day back from break

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 1:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow, you guys had a late break...

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 2:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

catholic university

pushed it back this year so as to correlate with easter

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 2:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Gotcha! When is this term up for you then? I start taking finals the 5th of May.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Mar 31, 2008 2:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

my last final is on the 5th

:D

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Mar 31, 2008 2:07 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Might be a stretch

Gameday Thread, NLDS #2: 10/4 vs. Cubs
932 comments

Most for a regular season game could be within reach though:
Gameday Thread, #160: 9/28 vs. Rockies
611 comments

by Jim McLennan on Mar 31, 2008 1:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs