AZ Snakepit: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Around SBN: Read our new Phoenix Coyotes blog! Bar-right-arrows



Gameday Thread, #47: 5/22 vs. Marlins

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Florida Marlins


Ari_medium

Dan Haren
RHP, 5-2, 3.14

fla_medium

Andrew Miller
LHP, 3-3, 6.18

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

We turn to Dan Haren to act as the stopper this afternoon: we've only had one three-game losing streak this season [the sweep in Chicago], and after the offensive offense we've seen the past couple of days, we really need a W under our belts before we head to Atlanta. Haren has given us four quality starts in a row, but as we've seen already this series - twice - that doesn't guarantee anything.

Miller has been significantly better over his past three starts, pitching 18 innings and allowing only four earned runs, but he's another pitcher against whom we don't have much collective experience. No-one on the roster has ever gone to the plate against him, and it may be purely anecdotal evidence, but this does seem like the kind of pitcher who has given us problems in the past [Johnny Cueto would be Exhibit A in that case].

The matter has been exacerbated ["No, what does exacerbate mean?" "It means um, to make things worse."] by Jackson and Upton joining Reynolds and Byrnes in the suck parade of late. With the help of good pitching, we were able to carry two struggling players, when the rest of the team was hitting well, but there's certain point where that's no longer possible. It's like watching an upside-down pyramid of circus acrobats riding a motorcycle. Eventually, if people keep climbing on board, it's going to end in disaster.

And with that spectacular metaphor, it's time for the show to start. Let's hope we're the ringmasters and not the clowns today.



0 recs | Comment 247 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Just heard on the radio that Medders was designated for assignment.

by TwinnerA on May 22, 2008 6:40 PM EDT   0 recs

Confirmed by AP.

Unless the FO can figure out a trade within a few days, I think that he’ll get picked up and won’t clear waivers. Seems like a bit of a waste to me.

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Burke in LF and Augie gets the start at 3rd. Ramirez is back in their lineup.

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:05 PM EDT   0 recs

it's an awefully accurate

metaphor though..

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 22, 2008 7:06 PM EDT   0 recs

Hi guys ^^

- The Question is: What is manah-manah?
- The Question is: Who cares!?

by Muu on May 22, 2008 7:10 PM EDT   0 recs

Good Luck D-Back

I would love to join you guys for the in-game comments but I have become quite addicted to Tivoing the game and starting 2 hours in so I can fast forward through commercials and the occasionally, too-hokey even for them, Grace and Sutton exchanges. Please note, however, that I will review all comments following the game and grade them for accuracy and wit. Good luck D-Backs!

by UofAZGrad on May 22, 2008 7:11 PM EDT   0 recs

another guy with a 6+ ERA

here we go again….

- The Question is: What is manah-manah?
- The Question is: Who cares!?

by Muu on May 22, 2008 7:11 PM EDT   0 recs

another potential

cy young winner then by the time we get done tonight!

NOT!

Come on DBACKS!

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 22, 2008 7:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He’s a LHP. I’m not as concerned about lefties with our RHB heavy roster.

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmmm....

do you tell the future for a living?

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 22, 2008 9:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

O-Dawg breaks the ice with a solid two out single the other way.

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:14 PM EDT   0 recs

O-Dawg

Nice to get a baserunner. CoJack one!

by LucaMaz3 on May 22, 2008 7:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Eric, I have red hot pins ready

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

by hotclaws on May 22, 2008 7:16 PM EDT   0 recs

And that goes for the rest of the lineup

shape up guys

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

by hotclaws on May 22, 2008 7:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

strikezone very wide against us... again

- The Question is: What is manah-manah?
- The Question is: Who cares!?

by Muu on May 22, 2008 7:17 PM EDT   0 recs

leadoff triple....

- The Question is: What is manah-manah?
- The Question is: Who cares!?

by Muu on May 22, 2008 7:20 PM EDT   0 recs

Well, that’s not the start I was hoping for from Haren. Lead off triple for Ramirez. :-(

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:20 PM EDT   0 recs

It could be worse

oh wait….

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

by hotclaws on May 22, 2008 7:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Miller Scouting Report

According to Baseball America, he was the top talent in the 2006 draft. Fastball tops out at 98, slider is in the mid-80s and is a sure out pitch, not a great changeup and uses a two-seam fastball instead.

by LucaMaz3 on May 22, 2008 7:22 PM EDT   0 recs

Wasn't this pitcher the number 1 pick a in 2006.

Brandon Webb, do I need to say more?

by srdmad on May 22, 2008 7:23 PM EDT   0 recs

Got to be somewhat good.

Brandon Webb, do I need to say more?

by srdmad on May 22, 2008 7:23 PM EDT   0 recs

but has a 6+ ERA anyway

- The Question is: What is manah-manah?
- The Question is: Who cares!?

by Muu on May 22, 2008 7:24 PM EDT   0 recs

It's just one run, we'll easily get that back

oh wait…

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

by hotclaws on May 22, 2008 7:25 PM EDT   0 recs

No, we won't.

Brandon Webb, do I need to say more?

by srdmad on May 22, 2008 9:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Now

Why did Hudson not go home there. You always get the lead runner. Or so I’ve been told…

by Jim McLennan on May 22, 2008 7:25 PM EDT   0 recs

First inning, you have to get the out…tie game later, maybe not, but it was too risky with the speed of Han-Ram.

by LucaMaz3 on May 22, 2008 7:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

S'ok

I was actually being sarcastic, reminding long-time readers of a previous occasion where someone was very critical of Jackson for not throwing home with a runner on third… You had to be there though. :-)

by Jim McLennan on May 22, 2008 7:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

There is a HUGE difference between a corner IF and a middle IF and the game situation. Especially when the middle IFs were playing deep and giving up the run on that play. If you can’t see that then I don’t know what else to say?

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

As I recall

I made much the same arguments on the previous occasion, and your response was that you “always” come home. Of course, the rules are now apparently different when it’s one of your guys. But if you can’t see that then I don’t know what else to say? :-)

by Jim McLennan on May 22, 2008 7:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Watch out....

he’s going to “put you on iggy”.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 22, 2008 9:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I feel that you are distorting the facts, Jim. Ground balls with the bases loaded later in a game to a corner IF in a close game are a much different situation then a ground ball to a middle IF that has been told to play back in the early innings with a speedy runner on third.

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 9:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I caught the reference...

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 22, 2008 9:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ouch,

Upton with a Byrnesian at bat swinging at balls four and five.

by dahlian on May 22, 2008 7:28 PM EDT   0 recs

A solid 8 pitch 1-2-3 for Danny boy in their 2nd!

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:35 PM EDT   0 recs

Only 8 pitches

I like it.

Brandon Webb, do I need to say more?

by srdmad on May 22, 2008 7:36 PM EDT   0 recs

Augie! With the lead of single!

Sweet!

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:38 PM EDT   0 recs

Augie!

nice one

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

by hotclaws on May 22, 2008 7:39 PM EDT   0 recs

Evening all

Augie!

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on May 22, 2008 7:39 PM EDT   0 recs

Nice sac bunt by Danny Boy there.

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:40 PM EDT   0 recs

On a side note.

Does anyone have any idea what the plans are for Lyon at the end of the year?

Brandon Webb, do I need to say more?

by srdmad on May 22, 2008 7:40 PM EDT   0 recs

1) Make a half-hearted attempt to resign him

2) Offer arbitration.
3) Collect draft picks

by dahlian on May 22, 2008 7:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Or a sign and trade maybe.

Brandon Webb, do I need to say more?

by srdmad on May 22, 2008 7:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

And

4) Insert Sherzer

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on May 22, 2008 7:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

And

I don’t think you need a crystal ball to see that. Pena will be closing in 2009.

by Jim McLennan on May 22, 2008 7:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

A lot can happen over the course of a season. I doubt that anything is written in stone at this point.

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

True

for all we know at mid-season Moorad may make the decision that he’s going to sign Matt Mantei to a three year contract because “the fans want a fireballing closer”.

by dahlian on May 22, 2008 7:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He has to bunt here

Doesnt he?

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on May 22, 2008 7:40 PM EDT   0 recs

Intersting

about the secondary lead. i wish we got more info like that from Grace.

by luckycc on May 22, 2008 7:42 PM EDT   0 recs

ohh something going here

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

by hotclaws on May 22, 2008 7:43 PM EDT   0 recs

CY with a bb!

Sweet!

It’s always nice to see him taking the bad pitches.

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:43 PM EDT   0 recs

That's an area

Where he has really improved this year.

by Jim McLennan on May 22, 2008 7:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Fingers crossed!

by TwinnerA on May 22, 2008 7:43 PM EDT   0 recs

Drewwww :(

D’oh

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on May 22, 2008 7:45 PM EDT   0 recs

Crap. 2 strikeouts for Drew already in the game. The suckage is contagious!

by TwinnerA on May 22, 2008 7:45 PM EDT   0 recs

LHP, Wolf (and O-Dawg, Burke and Snydes) is one of the only ones that have been hitting lately.

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I dont think i can keep watching this

Its bad for my mental health :(

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on May 22, 2008 7:50 PM EDT   0 recs

I cannot agree more

i am actually hoping my 4 week old son wakes up crying so I can have something to pull me away from this.

How did the Padres offense get in Arizona uniforms??

by peeklay on May 22, 2008 7:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm thinking of reading a horror story between innings

for light relief

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

by hotclaws on May 22, 2008 8:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

May I suggest

The classic of Hello Kitty horror, “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream”?

by Jim McLennan on May 22, 2008 8:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

or....

a recap of any Dback road win would be scarier than any Saw movie or maybe even [rec]

btw, if you like horror and have not yet seen [rec] I would recommend it. very obvious formula movie (zombies and a shaky cam), but wow is it executed well. Note: it is in Spanish with subtitles

by peeklay on May 22, 2008 8:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

crap

i meant to say any Dback road game, not road win

good job offense

by peeklay on May 22, 2008 8:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Road wins are few and far between these days. Lost 5 in a row on the road by my count.

by TwinnerA on May 22, 2008 8:07 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I was thinking of "The Fly"

reminds me of the team somehow

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

by hotclaws on May 22, 2008 8:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Perhaps most appropriately

Diary of the Dead, would appear to describe our offense this week…

by Jim McLennan on May 22, 2008 8:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Dead Men Walking

or in our case, Pretending to play baseball?

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 23, 2008 11:34 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

this is insane

no one on and drew jacks the pitch down the middle out of the park.

2 on with 1 out…...K

This team is not very good right now. The offense has been atrocious. That graphic of a .054 RISP over the past 5 games is really unbelievable. Oh, and it went down with the 0 for 2 tonight

by peeklay on May 22, 2008 7:50 PM EDT   0 recs

Yes

we struck out the pitcher.(lol)

Brandon Webb, do I need to say more?

by srdmad on May 22, 2008 7:54 PM EDT   0 recs

I'm frustrated too

But I’m watching and waiting for them to turn things around. Not that they’re not making me crazy, but anything could happen.

by luckycc on May 22, 2008 7:56 PM EDT   0 recs

New inning.

Here we go.

Brandon Webb, do I need to say more?

by srdmad on May 22, 2008 7:59 PM EDT   0 recs

Danny Boy got outta that lead off single. Sweet!

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 7:59 PM EDT   0 recs

Pitch count through 3:
Haren 35
Miller 48

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 8:00 PM EDT   0 recs

so....

is 1 run insurmountable for this offense right now? I have to wonder. I hope they can get a run or two b4 Haren gives up another run (if he does) because I think a 2-0 or 3-0 deficit might be mentally impossible to overcome

by peeklay on May 22, 2008 8:00 PM EDT   0 recs

jackson is in a huge slump

I watch almost every game and know that Jackson has been cold, but since Reynolds and Byrnes have been SO BAD I think most have let Jackson off the hook.

His average is in the .290 range now….wasn’t he at .340 just a few weeks ago? Brutal.

by peeklay on May 22, 2008 8:01 PM EDT   0 recs

I think most have let Jackson off the hook.

It’s pretty strange just how often that happens. ;-)

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 8:07 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Most have let Jackson off the hook

because he actually is just going through an slump. Despite his 1-19 he’s still has been one of the top three offensive performers on the team.

If not for the giant vortexes of suck at third base and left field, you would hardly notice an off week from CJ.

by dahlian on May 22, 2008 8:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

"a young Kevin Mitchell"?

lets hope Upton doesn’t skin cats alive like Kevin Mitchell

by peeklay on May 22, 2008 8:03 PM EDT   0 recs

What’s up with all the negative vibes, man?

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 8:04 PM EDT   0 recs

Just venting foulpole

just venting

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 22, 2008 8:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Snydes with the two out single!

by foulpole on May 22, 2008 8:04 PM EDT   0 recs