Arizona @ San Francisco GameThread, Jul 25, 2008 10:15 PM EDT

Gameday Thread, #102: 7/25 vs. Giants

by Jim McLennan on Jul 25, 2008 8:15 PM EDT

Arizona @ San Francisco

Dan Haren
RHP, 9-5, 2.58

Jonathan Sanchez
LHP, 8-5, 4.10

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

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 reply reply 0 recs

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 reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

Exactly.

The team that continues to disappoint, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 25, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 reply reply 0 recs

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 reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

Their AAAA roster...

by dahlian on Jul 25, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

err...

AAA roster.

by dahlian on Jul 25, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

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 reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

I see

The Rockies finally got to Edison Volquez tonight…

by Jim McLennan on Jul 25, 2008 10:11 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

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 reply reply 0 recs

Same with XM

But it sure beats watching on gamecast alone!

by Counsellmember on Jul 25, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

The problems

of the modern man

by AF DBacks Fanatic on Jul 25, 2008 10:20 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

by hotclaws on Jul 25, 2008 10:38 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

lols

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

by hotclaws on Jul 25, 2008 10:42 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

by Scrbl on Jul 25, 2008 10:44 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

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 up reply reply 0 recs

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Gameday Thread, #102: 7/25 vs. Giants

Dan HarenRHP, 9-5, 2.58

Jonathan SanchezLHP, 8-5, 4.10

Comments

Dan Haren
RHP, 9-5, 2.58

Jonathan Sanchez
LHP, 8-5, 4.10