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Gameday Thread, #45: 5/20 vs. Marlins

Mrsnakepit_tiny by Jim McLennan on

Arizona @ Florida


Ari_medium

Micah Owings
RHP, 5-1, 3.81
fla_medium

Mark Hendrickson
LHP, 5-2, 3.91

Baseball-Reference.com preview [opens in new window]

Off back to the East coast, which makes for early starts until the end of the weekend: 4:10pm Arizona time for the rest of the week. That will severely impact my presence in the threads, since I wouldn't even get home until about the sixth inning, on the nights when I am not otherwise engaged. On the plus side, it should give me a chance - at least, not on said nights - of being able to get everything updated before 1am, which tends to happen rather too often on home-stands and other PST-zone contests.

The Marlins were going pretty well, but the wheels have come off in the past week, getting swept by the Reds and dropping a series against the Royals, to lose five of six overall. We also did pretty well against Florida last season, taking all but one of the seven contests; this year, they are doing better, being four games ahead of their pace at the same point. Dan Uggla [another one we let get away] has had another storming season at the plate, hitting .316 with 13 HR, while his partner on the other side of second-base, Hanley Ramirez is batting .310 and has stolen 13 bases.

Looking at the pitching matchups, I would say we have a slight edge today, and a big edge on Wednesday and Thursday, as we send Webb and Haren out. Two out of three would seem eminently achievable here, and if we can get a victory today, that would seem to give us a good chance at the sweep. Obviously, a loss would put that right out the window. ;-)

Lineup

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Florida Marlins

05/20/08 7:10 PM EDT

Arizona Diamondbacks Florida Marlins
Chris Young - CF Alfredo Amezaga - CF
Augie Ojeda - SS Jeremy Hermida - RF
Orlando Hudson - 2B Hanley Ramirez - SS
Conor Jackson - 1B Mike Jacobs - 1B
Justin Upton - RF Dan Uggla - 2B
Eric Byrnes - LF Jorge Cantu - 3B
Mark Reynolds - 3B Luis Gonzalez - LF
Chris Snyder - C Matt Treanor - C
Micah Owings - P Mark Hendrickson - P


 

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Question for the 'Pit:

Which middle infield, on the balance, would you rather have: Philly’s (Rollins and Utley) or Florida’s (Uggla and Ramirez)?

I assume most people will say Philly’s, since they’re more polished, and probably better defensively, but…. it’s a tough call, for me.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 5:31 PM EDT   0 recs

Philly

but you couldn’t go wrong either way

by manphibian on May 20, 2008 5:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Honestly,

the biggest thing that gives me pause is the fact that Rollins and Utley are both 29, while Uggla is 28 but Ramirez is only 24.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 6:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Was just thinking how young and how good Ramirez already is. However Utley is a beast this year. Probably still Philly’s.

by Bcawz on May 20, 2008 6:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Depends

If you throw in salary then it’s very close. If you’re talking straight up… it’s really not that close. Ramirez is obviously the best of the bunch, but Utley is very close behind, Rollins not far behind, and Utley is a distant fourth.

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck

by njjohn on May 20, 2008 6:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, yeah. I was talking all-inclusive here, that's why I mentioned ages.

Say the Dbacks could replace O-Dawg and Droo tomorrow with either of these two middle infield sets. Which would it be?

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 6:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If we're talking defense...

I’d go with rollins and utley. Ramirez and Uggla are both butchers defensively. If Hanley was in Az’s farm system, I’m pretty sure he would have been moved to an outfield position.

All things considered, I’d take Hanley over Rollins any day. I don’t think there’s any question about Utley vs Uggla. Yeah, Uggla has power, but Utley is just as good with the bat, and probably the best defensive second basemen in the game. IMHO, he should have won the GG over Odawg last year.

by Zephon on May 20, 2008 6:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I’m a sucker for the bargain contract, so if that’s included, I’d go with the Marlins duo.

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck

by njjohn on May 20, 2008 7:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

How about taking Utley and Ramirez. Can’t we do that?

by Bcawz on May 20, 2008 7:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If you want,

but then we start getting into fantasy territory. The point is that you have to take ‘em both as a team.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ramirez alone makes it a no-brainer for me.

But I thought Rollins was older than 29

by Augie's Army on May 20, 2008 7:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought Rollins was older, too.

I had to look it up. Seems like Rollins has been around forever.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

a loss would put that [a sweep] right out the window

Do explain, Jim… your reasoning eludes me here…

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck

by njjohn on May 20, 2008 6:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Yes,

I also found that strange and hard to understand.

Wait—is it sabermetrics??

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 6:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It's very difficult to explain

You’ll just have to trust me. :-)

by Jim McLennan on May 20, 2008 6:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Name the Movie

If there was any logic to our language, “trust” would be a four-letter word.

by UofAZGrad on May 20, 2008 6:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't wanna immediately give it away....

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 6:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I think we should invent a new stat,

the Sweep Possibility % or SPP.

For example, if we lose tonight, our SPP for the rest of this series is 0%. If we win, it would be significantly higher, since we have Webb and Haren going back to back.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 6:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Lineups now out

Added to the thread, but you’ll have to refresh to see those…

by Jim McLennan on May 20, 2008 6:39 PM EDT   0 recs

And here we go!

It's like living with a six-year old.

by 4 Corners Fan on May 20, 2008 7:12 PM EDT   0 recs

Lets go DBacks!!!!

by Bcawz on May 20, 2008 7:14 PM EDT   0 recs

Lets do this

Leeeeeerrooooyyyyy Jennnnkkkkins

What I meant to say was lets go D-Backs :)

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on May 20, 2008 7:15 PM EDT   0 recs

I remember watching Hendrickson playing basketball for UW (or was it Washington State?), back in the day.

by Bcawz on May 20, 2008 7:16 PM EDT   0 recs

Nope, Wash State. Doh.

by Bcawz on May 20, 2008 7:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Don’t know why, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this one.

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck

by njjohn on May 20, 2008 7:16 PM EDT   0 recs

Well, we didn’t score off this guy last year.

by Bcawz on May 20, 2008 7:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, we've seen him now.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That's no moon

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Uno, dos, tres.

Let’s get our Pwnings on.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:17 PM EDT   0 recs

BB to Hanley.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:23 PM EDT   0 recs

They're fish, they 're not meant to be able to walk.

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Oh, I forgot that we get to see Gonzo!

It's like living with a six-year old.

by 4 Corners Fan on May 20, 2008 7:25 PM EDT   0 recs

I think he shaved off his goatee, probably because it is mostly/all gray.

by TwinnerA on May 20, 2008 7:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Haha

When I first read this, I thought it said, “mostly/all gay”.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

-1

Nah, not Gonzo!

by TwinnerA on May 20, 2008 7:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah understand, but still funny to misread stuff like that sometime.

by Bcawz on May 20, 2008 7:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I like him better as a Marlin than a Dodger,

although, it was nice how he helped torpedo their locker room last year.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

*Fixed

although, it was nice how he helped torpedo cause a nuclear holocaust in their locker room last year.

by Augie's Army on May 20, 2008 7:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Errr,

yeah, that’s what I meant, thanks.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

What did he do?

It's like living with a six-year old.

by 4 Corners Fan on May 20, 2008 7:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He and the other vets didn’t take too kindly to the young guys joking around after losses. It seems the Marlins’ younger players like him better.

by TwinnerA on May 20, 2008 7:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ahh, I loved Gonzo.

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

*Ahem*

Hendrickson has a PERFECT GAME right now….

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:31 PM EDT   0 recs

Which D-Back gets his number retired first?

Gonzo, Unit, Schilling, Finley, Grace, Travis lee?

by Augie's Army on May 20, 2008 7:33 PM EDT   0 recs

RJ

definitely.

by Bcawz on May 20, 2008 7:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

When they signed him first time

I said, 51 first to be retired.

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmmmm, how very prescient....

Got any comments about next year’s stock market?

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Greed is good?

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Absolutely.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Gonzo next. Schilling? Not so sure he will at all.

by TwinnerA on May 20, 2008 7:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

not sure any of the other ones besides Gonzo and Grace.

by Bcawz on May 20, 2008 7:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I think it depends on who retires first but id bet on Unit

But Unit will definitely be the first HOFer.

Gonzo, Grace (thanks to being the broadcaster), Schilling and possibly Finley to follow

by Augie's Army on May 20, 2008 7:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think Schilling will,

and I’m not so sure about Finley, either.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I’d go with Finley over Schilling.

by TwinnerA on May 20, 2008 7:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I’d be surprised if Finley had his number retired.

"Look, I'm not a financial expert or anything, but I'm pretty sure that a zeppelin is an excellent investment opportunity."

by kishi on May 20, 2008 7:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

As would I. More service.

Even though Schill was a better pitcher than Finley was an OF.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Doesn’t Brandon Webb wear Grace’s old number? Hard to retire that.

by SongBird on May 20, 2008 7:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Excellent Point

They played together didn’t they? Did Webb change numbers after Gracie’s retirement?

by Augie's Army on May 20, 2008 7:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If Google can be trusted, Webb wore 55 for his first two seasons.

"Look, I'm not a financial expert or anything, but I'm pretty sure that a zeppelin is an excellent investment opportunity."

by kishi on May 20, 2008 7:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Travis Lee?

by foulpole on May 20, 2008 8:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

“Mark, did you know you have a perfect game going? How’s it feel man. Talk about it.”

by Bcawz on May 20, 2008 7:33 PM EDT   0 recs

C'mon guys, it's just the Marlins

put them in their plaice

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:37 PM EDT   0 recs

"Their place"...

...meaning first?

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Micah will make their betters flounder

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

batters

oh, oh ,I could do a battered fish joke there if I put my mind to it.

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

But

can you turn it into a LOTR joke?

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Gollum Gollum, fishes is nice to eat,

nasty hobbit not scorch beautiful fish

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

hey fellow snake pitters

how goes it…how come micah is not hitting like 5th or 6th yet? hah

by TuLoRocks2008 on May 20, 2008 7:43 PM EDT   0 recs

We need to keep Byrnes and Reynolds up that high… wait, no we don’t.

by Bcawz on May 20, 2008 7:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Not allowed under the Geneva convention

cruel and unusual treatment

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Because

the rest of our lineup is pretty damned good, too. :-P

Welcome back!

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

that is truee

thankss buddy…im hopin we can find some consistantcy in our lineup eventually preferably now

by TuLoRocks2008 on May 20, 2008 7:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

By "consistency",

you mean “a bunch of guys at the top of the order who can hit”?

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 8:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

great game so far here...

Micah is looking strong

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck

by njjohn on May 20, 2008 7:44 PM EDT   0 recs

He’s hoping the guys give him some of that run support that always seems to appear on days Webbie starts.

by TwinnerA on May 20, 2008 7:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

seconded

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Way to work the count Owings

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

by hotclaws on May 20, 2008 7:50 PM EDT   0 recs

3-2 K for Pwnings.

Still kicks ass, though.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 20, 2008 7:50 PM EDT   0 recs