Gameday Thread, #102: 7/25 vs. Giants
Arizona @ San Francisco
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Onto the road go the Diamondbacks once again, with a West coast sweep that takes in three of our division rivals. We'll go on through San Diego and Los Angeles, but the first stop is San Francisco. With the Dodgers facing woeful Washington - just swept by the Giants - it's important to get off on the right foot here. And of late, there's no-one better to do so for the D-backs, than Dan Haren. In his last five starts, he has an ERA of 0.75, having allowed three earned runs in 36 innings of work, with opponents batting .165 against him over that time. His current streak of seven straight starts allowing two or less earned runs, is something even Webb hasn't done, and trails only the Big Unit (nine games in 1999), as far as franchise history goes.
Our offense has come back to life a little of late, with the July OPS of .732 being the best by the team since April. However, I am a little concerned that the collective BABIP is .322, which is a little high, and probably lucky. Hudson (.418) and Tracy (.447) are particular outliers this month; on the other hand, Jackson's .333 average is based on a BABIP just sixteen points higher. Which seems like a good place to reproduce this chart, which by coincidence popped up in my email an hour or two ago.
Baseball Prospectus Stat of the Day
| Player | EqA | VORP |
| Berkman | .351 | 62.1 |
| Pujols | .371 | 53.0 |
| Teixeira | .301 | 29.1 |
| Jackson | .293 | 28.4 |
| Lee | .286 | 26.5 |
File that in the large box, marked "And we would want to swap Jackson for Teixeira, why, exactly?" It's very interesting to note that, while Berkman and Pujols are light-years ahead, Jackson [salary $420K] fits in between Teixieira [$12.5] and Derrek Lee [$13.25m]. In terms of value for money, there may be no better options at the position in the National League this year.
Here's a little snippet I was forwarded, that sheds a light on why we've struggled so much this season, and why we went out and got Jon Rauch. According to Santo Lombarbarda of the Elias Sports Bureau, through Monday, only one team in the majors had a lead through six innings more often than the D-backs:
Team Lead Games Win % St. Louis Cardinals 57 101 .564 Arizona Diamondbacks 53 99 .535 Milwaukee Brewers 50 99 .505 Boston Red Sox 51 101 .505 Texas Rangers 50 100 .500 New York Mets 49 99 .495 Toronto Blue Jays 49 99 .495 Chicago Cubs 48 99 .485 Los Angeles Angels 48 99 .485 Atlanta Braves 47 99 .475
The overall figure for the Diamondbacks' bullpen also speak for themselves:
2007 2008 W-L 30-19 10-18 Blown saves 15 16
Some bits of news. Juan Cruz will throw tonight on a rehab assignment, then probably again on Monday - and if those two outings go well, he'll be back with us in time for the tail of the Padres series, or early in the Dodgers' one. However, Justin Upton is still at least a week away and hasn't even started taking real swings as yet. Our recent draft pick [#43 overall], Wade Miley is scouted by Alex Eisenberg over at The Hardball Times, as part of his look at picks #36-43. And I was interviewed by Troy of FullOfSports.com, and we discussed the D-backs second-half prospects: it can be found within their latest podcast.
Should be around or about for tonight's game, and I think it's Azreous scheduled for the recap? Failing that, I'll get it done in the morning: we have a busy weekend in project [cabaret tomorrow, lucha libre on Sunday], so even though we have taken Monday off work, we will have to cram in as much sloth tonight as possible!
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Yep.
I’m on the recap, which means we’re sure to lose. I apologize in advance.
by Azreous on
Jul 25, 2008 8:26 PM EDT
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Lineups are up early, it seems
Our guys:
S. Drew ss
C. Young cf
O. Hudson 2b
C. Jackson lf
M. Reynolds 3b
C. Tracy 1b
C. Snyder c
C. Burke rf
D. Haren p
Glad to see Orlando is good to start. Almost glad enough to ignore Burke getting the start in right….
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
by kishi on
Jul 25, 2008 8:29 PM EDT
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Why oh why does BoMel continue to have Burke start in RF?
There are clearly better options to play. I understand that Sanchez is left handed, but I still think Romero would provide a better quality bat. Hell, D’antona has never played RF and he couldn’t be that much worse out there. He’d probably be the best offensive option there too, But nay, we’ll keep seeing Burke out there until Upton gets taken off the DL
Dear Josh Byrnes: Please DFA Chris Burke. He can't hit, and probably never will.
by Zephon on
Jul 25, 2008 8:39 PM EDT
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And if it's because there's a left handed pitcher on the mound...
Why is Tracy getting the start over D’antona or Clark?
Dear Josh Byrnes: Please DFA Chris Burke. He can't hit, and probably never will.
by Zephon on
Jul 25, 2008 8:42 PM EDT
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Do not question Melvin! The mad scientist has pulled slips of paper out of a hat spoken!
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
by kishi on
Jul 25, 2008 8:54 PM EDT
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You could question
I just don’t think he’s going hear ;-)
Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!
by soco on
Jul 25, 2008 8:55 PM EDT
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I just noticed the batting order...
o mother of god WHY??
Doesn’t BoMel realize that Jackson is a perfect fit for the number two hole???
by dahlian on
Jul 25, 2008 9:52 PM EDT
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I'm guessing
he’s hoping CY will have another good game like Wednesday…
by AF DBacks Fanatic on
Jul 25, 2008 10:09 PM EDT
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Why is Jackson back in the 4 hole with Young in the 2nd spot?
The team that continues to disappoint, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
by srdmad on
Jul 25, 2008 10:09 PM EDT
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Because the guy with the best slugging average on the team is usually the guy they put in the cleanup spot?
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
by kishi on
Jul 25, 2008 10:11 PM EDT
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I'd rather have the guy
with the best on base percentage on the team (by a mile) in the two hole.
That .097 OBP drop off is pretty steep. Also, since Conor is more of a doubles hitter than a home run hitter, his slugging isn’t as wasted.
by dahlian on
Jul 25, 2008 10:14 PM EDT
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Exactly.
The team that continues to disappoint, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
by srdmad on
Jul 25, 2008 10:16 PM EDT
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Wow
I didn’t realize Burke was putting up a better OBP than Young this season.
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
by kishi on
Jul 25, 2008 10:17 PM EDT
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I did math today
If Burke gets 10 hits in a row, his avg goes above .250
by AF DBacks Fanatic on
Jul 25, 2008 10:17 PM EDT
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Then why was he batting 2nd for all those games?
The team that continues to disappoint, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
by srdmad on
Jul 25, 2008 10:16 PM EDT
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Them
F. Lewis lf
J. Castillo 2b
R. Winn rf
B. Molina c
A. Rowand cf
J. Bowker 1b
R. Aurilia 3b
O. Vizquel ss
J. Sanchez p
I didn’t realize Vizquel was hitting so badly this year- only batting .183/.249/.220. Ouch.
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
by kishi on
Jul 25, 2008 8:30 PM EDT
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I'm not really going to be around
for any of this, so should be a fairly on-topic night. Dinner and a movie for me.
I do have a question for the more internet astute, or perhaps our British breathren. I’m trying to import a couple cds, but all the prices I’ve found are ridiculous. Specifically, Jennifer Rostock and Ida Maria. If anyone knows of cheaper than $20 alternatives, I’d like to hear them (and no, downloading illegally isn’t a good answer).
Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!
by soco on
Jul 25, 2008 8:57 PM EDT
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What about LEGAL downloading?
Do amazon.co.uk offer that, say? I imagine there might be rights issues, but it could work out cheaper, especially with the cost of shipping physical CDs.
by Jim McLennan on
Jul 25, 2008 9:08 PM EDT
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It looks like Uk Amazon doesn't
have legal downloads yet, and neither is in the mp3 selections at the US version.
Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!
by soco on
Jul 25, 2008 9:11 PM EDT
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Looks Xavier Nady
is off the market. Traded to the Yankees.
Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!
by soco on
Jul 25, 2008 9:17 PM EDT
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From the rumors, it looks like the Yankees are planning to replace about a quarter of their roster…
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
by kishi on
Jul 25, 2008 9:20 PM EDT
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I don't blame them
though I really wish they’d save some for the rest of us.
Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!
by soco on
Jul 25, 2008 9:23 PM EDT
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Oh, man
I don’t know how long I’m going to be around for this one. Insomnia means I got about four hours of sleep last night, and it’s a struggle to stay awake already…
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
by kishi on
Jul 25, 2008 10:08 PM EDT
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Yeah, I can text you with updates…
It's like living with a six-year old.
by 4 Corners Fan on
Jul 25, 2008 10:10 PM EDT
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I see
The Rockies finally got to Edison Volquez tonight…
by Jim McLennan on
Jul 25, 2008 10:11 PM EDT
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MLB.TV
gives the home announcers, so I get to hear the giants announcers tonight…painful. At least some of the side-show stuff with Grace and Sutton has to do with the D’backs…
by AF DBacks Fanatic on
Jul 25, 2008 10:11 PM EDT
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Same with XM
But it sure beats watching on gamecast alone!
by Counsellmember on
Jul 25, 2008 10:16 PM EDT
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Got the video
up on mute, then turned KTAR on…
KTAR is about 20 seconds ahead of the video…ruins the surprise, but lets me know when to pay attention
by AF DBacks Fanatic on
Jul 25, 2008 10:17 PM EDT
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An inevitable problem
I’ve never been able to get two sources to sync up correctly: KTAR on the Net always lags the TV broadcast badly. There’s even a significant difference between the HD broadcast in the bedroom, and the regular one in the living-room.
by Jim McLennan on
Jul 25, 2008 10:18 PM EDT
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I like having the radio
be ahead of the t.v.
That way in particularly tense situations I can put on the head phones and fast forward the game.
by dahlian on
Jul 25, 2008 10:48 PM EDT
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That's good.
His OBP has been on a downward tick since peaking at .352 on May 18. It was at .302 coming into today, up a few points from a low of .296.
by Jim McLennan on
Jul 25, 2008 10:22 PM EDT
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O Dawg
grounds into another DP…anyone know why he is so good at GIDP?
by AF DBacks Fanatic on
Jul 25, 2008 10:22 PM EDT
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It perplexes me
Because it’s not as if he’s your prototypical slow slugger. I suspect he has a high ground-ball rate and a low strikeout rate, so he puts the ball in play, usually on the ground.
by Jim McLennan on
Jul 25, 2008 10:24 PM EDT
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That
makes sense. His swing is much more of a slap-style than a power-style
by Snakebitten on
Jul 25, 2008 10:25 PM EDT
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And if
He’s batting behind those who get on base a lot [hello, Conor Jackson…], the results are an inevitable number of twin killings.
by Jim McLennan on
Jul 25, 2008 10:26 PM EDT
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But Hudson
Soon takes care of that, with a double-play.
by Jim McLennan on
Jul 25, 2008 10:23 PM EDT
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Just for fun
CoJack as 1B: 302 BA
as LF: 346 BA
by AF DBacks Fanatic on
Jul 25, 2008 10:29 PM EDT
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How many games at each?
The team that continues to disappoint, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
by srdmad on
Jul 25, 2008 10:30 PM EDT
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I would
assume that those stats are for this season
by Snakebitten on
Jul 25, 2008 10:32 PM EDT
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Cojack gets it going
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.
by hotclaws on
Jul 25, 2008 10:33 PM EDT
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Reynolds just
got a tough break…Jackson on 3rd…
by AF DBacks Fanatic on
Jul 25, 2008 10:35 PM EDT
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MLb audio is insisting it's 2007
and I haven’t paid for 2008 yet :-/
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.
by hotclaws on
Jul 25, 2008 10:38 PM EDT
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ah,found it works going via a wierd route
I thought I’s been in the Tardis there for a minite
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.
by hotclaws on
Jul 25, 2008 10:41 PM EDT
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As long as
The 2008 regular-season ends the same way as 2007 did, I wouldn’t mind too much.
by Jim McLennan on
Jul 25, 2008 10:41 PM EDT
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lols
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.
by hotclaws on
Jul 25, 2008 10:42 PM EDT
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San Diego Heartbreak is always nice.
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
by kishi on
Jul 26, 2008 12:33 AM EDT
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1st & 3rd, 1 out
Snyder needs to get us on the board…
by AF DBacks Fanatic on
Jul 25, 2008 10:38 PM EDT
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true
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.
by hotclaws on
Jul 25, 2008 10:39 PM EDT
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Any more than one run here
Would be a major bonus-shaped thing.
by Jim McLennan on
Jul 25, 2008 10:42 PM EDT
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now do something to stop us hating you please
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.
by hotclaws on
Jul 25, 2008 10:42 PM EDT
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2 innings
and 50 pitches. Wow
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
by Scrbl on
Jul 25, 2008 10:44 PM EDT
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Lousy reply button :(
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
by Scrbl on
Jul 25, 2008 10:45 PM EDT
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Burke
avoids the DP…2 outs…1st and 3rd for Haren….
Haren can help his own cause…
by AF DBacks Fanatic on
Jul 25, 2008 10:43 PM EDT
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At
the very least, we have reset the lineup for next inning…
by Snakebitten on
Jul 25, 2008 10:44 PM EDT
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I like
Haren’s at-bats. He’s not a rabbit and has a very low K rate for a pitcher.
by Jim McLennan on
Jul 25, 2008 10:44 PM EDT
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