Arizona @ Washington GameThread, Jul 8, 2008 7:10 PM EDT

Gameday Thread, #90: 7/8 vs. Nationals

by Jim McLennan on Jul 8, 2008 5:00 PM EDT

Arizona @ Washington

Brandon Webb
RHP, 12-4, 3.43

Odalis Perez
HP, 2-5, 3.78

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

Little tidbit I saw mentioned on Yahoo this morning. Three months into the season, the five teams in the National League West have managed exactly one winning month between them - our April. Still, that's not much comfort on a day when our lead, which has been shrinking like a snowball in hell of late, finally evaporated entirely in the wake of Kuroda one-hitting the Braves last night. We are tied for first with the Dodgers now, and the franchise-record streak of sole ownership has ended.

Time to regroup, and if you have to go on the road to face an opponent, you'd pick the Washington Nationals, who are currently on pace for 101 losses. That would be the worst showing in a new stadium, since 1982, when the Twins went 60-102 during their first year at the Metrodome. They've just lost five games in a row, and 14 of their last 19. Given we've got Webb and Haren going during this series, we simply must look to take two of three games here - and a sweep would be, obviously, better.

Though Arizona scored less than four runs per game on the homestand, we did show some signs of life from the offense: we hit 279/.341/.429, an OPS of .770. The last time before this stretch we had that high a batting average over a seven-game period, was back from May 3-9. Being at home helped, no doubt - but that's still a better BA than on the previous six-game homestands:
   May 13-18: .274/.370/.409
   May 27-June 1: .230/.305/..435
   June 13-19: .231/.291/.354

I'm therefore optimistic that this will carry forward to Washington, though the new Nationals park has proven to be very pitcher-friendly so far [albeit in a small sample of 44 games], with a park factor of 93-94. Or maybe it's just that the Nationals offense sucks: their HR leader is Ryan Zimmerman, with eight, and Cristian Guzman is the only player with 200 AB and an OPS+ above average - at 102. This would be why they have averaged 3.35 runs/game since June 6, lower even the Diamondbacks, who are at 3.48 over the same time. Like I said: two out of three is an absolute minimum.

East coast games on this road-trip, so we're looking at some early starts. I'll be in stealth mode early on, but should be home in time for the last couple of innings. At least it means I shouldn't need to stay up late, doing recaps!

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Comments

Gnats

Not only can’t this team hit, but they can’t stay healthy. Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Nick Johnson, Ryan Zimmerman, and Jonny Estrada are all on the DL. Dmitri Young is the only hitter in this lineup I would even be slightly worried about.

I’ve been waiting patiently for Webb to throw his first no-hitter. I’m calling for it tonight.

Fire Bob Melvin. Free Jamie D'Antona. Eric Byrnes Sucks.

by nihil67 on Jul 8, 2008 5:46 PM EDT 0 recs

Way to jinx it! Speakiing of Webb, does anyone here have a subscription to ESPN’s Insider so we (okay I mean I) can read Buster Olney’s Blog about Webb on July 3? Pretty please?

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3471992&name=olney_buster&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fentryID%3d3471992%26name%3dolney_buster

by TwinnerA on Jul 8, 2008 6:20 PM EDT up 0 recs

heyyy, I want to read it all tooooo

does anyone have it? =[

"Back here live at the Waterfront Village with my friend the zombie, Jonathon," says correspondent Nancy Francis. "You're looking good, Jonathon. Jonathon just got an awesome face paint job. What do you think?"

Jonathon does not need to mull this one for long. Jonathon turns to the reporter and says, in a voice that is both flat and emphatic:

"I like turtles."

ROFLMAOLOL!

by Muu on Jul 8, 2008 6:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

padding, we only need one more to get to 300

I’m glad two runs was enough to get Webb the win.

"It's like deja vu all over again."

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jul 9, 2008 12:12 AM EDT up 0 recs

God willing the Dbacks will finally start to play some good road ball this trip. Knowing them though they’ll find a way to frustrate

"Troops in desperate straights know no fear. Where there is no escape, they stand firm; When they have entered deep, they persist; When they see no hope, they fight." Sun Tzu The Art of War

by Turambar on Jul 8, 2008 6:34 PM EDT 0 recs

The cubs have reportedly acquired Rich Harden

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 6:36 PM EDT 0 recs

Harden, Gaudin to the Cubs for Gallagher, Eric Patterson, and Matt Murton

a friend just told me

Jonathon does not need to mull this one for long. Jonathon turns to the reporter and says, in a voice that is both flat and emphatic:

"I like turtles."

ROFLMAOLOL!

by Muu on Jul 8, 2008 6:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

I didn't realize

Gaudin was part of the deal… Overall I gotta say that’s a pretty nice haul for the Cubs. I’m surprised the A’s didn’t get more in return.. all though then again, Harden is always injured, and apparently he’s lost some velocity, and is going through a dead arm phase right now.

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 6:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

Many

“Best rotation in the NL” and “Best 1-2 in the majors” comments over at BCB.

I don’t think so. :-)

by Jim McLennan on Jul 8, 2008 7:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

You'd have to consider it up there

combine that with good offensive, and ridiculous numbers at home and the Cubs look pretty set so far.

By all means hit at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.

by soco on Jul 8, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

They're Cubs fans. They're ignorant.

What do you expect? They don’t even watch the games. All they do is wear Cubs stuff and get drunk.

Mark Reynolds: Turning me gay since '07

by DbacksSkins on Jul 9, 2008 12:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

but that's the fun part!

:-P

Two days later, Eric Byrnes missed three games for excessive crying, and started listening to emo. At the same time, Emily changed her name to emilylovesthedbacksexceptthatloserericbyrnes.

by emilylovesthedbacks on Jul 9, 2008 4:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

Zambrano, Harden(healthy) & Dempster....

good trifeta.

Jonathon does not need to mull this one for long. Jonathon turns to the reporter and says, in a voice that is both flat and emphatic:

"I like turtles."

ROFLMAOLOL!

by Muu on Jul 8, 2008 6:47 PM EDT 0 recs

I'll still take Webb and Haren

Over Zambrano and Harden.

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 6:53 PM EDT 0 recs

I would rank Harden-1, Webb-2, Haren-3, Zambrano-4.

Between those guys, not the entire league.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 8, 2008 7:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

Wha?

How is Rich Harden better than Webb?

Please platoon Chad Tracy with someone other than Chris Burke!

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

+1

Harden hasn’t made 20 starts in a season since 2004, and has made only 45 in the past 3.5 seasons. When healthy, he’s great, but any ranking has to take into the account Harden spends more time on the DL than off it.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 8, 2008 7:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

My ranking was in terms of dominating the other team.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 8, 2008 7:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hard to do from the dugout.

:-)

by Jim McLennan on Jul 8, 2008 7:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

When he's on the mound.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 8, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

I still think Webb is greater than Harden

I’d probably take Haren and Big Z over Harden on most days too.

Harden has a low era, but Haren, Zambrano, and Webb will all give you just as many strikeouts, if not more.. with a slightly higher ERA, and they all will actually be able to stay on the mound for more than a few starts a year.

Please platoon Chad Tracy with someone other than Chris Burke!

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

You think Webb is better than Harden, yet you said Harden has a lower ERA.

I said Harden is better than any of these guys when is actually on the mound.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 8, 2008 7:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

Actually

Webb’s career era is lower than Hardens

Please platoon Chad Tracy with someone other than Chris Burke!

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Then why the hell did you say that Harden will have a lower ERA than these guys, when he doesn't.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 8, 2008 7:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

I didn't really bother to actually look up the stats

Here’s each player’s page on baseball reference:

Harden
Haren
Webb
Zambrano

Please platoon Chad Tracy with someone other than Chris Burke!

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 7:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Just to elaborate further, and correct my self.

Harden’s career era is 3.42… Haren’s is 3.69… Webb’s is 3.24… Zambrano’s is 3.37…. So the only one of those guys he has a better era than is Haren.. and it’s not by much

Please platoon Chad Tracy with someone other than Chris Burke!

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 7:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

.27 difference between Harden and Haren ERA.

Less of a difference than Harden and Webb ERA, so saying Harden isn’t that much better than Haren, is saying that Webb isn’t as much better than Harden as Harden is to Haren.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 8, 2008 7:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

So basically...

The only real difference between Webb and Haren vs Harden is that Harden is always injured. Also, Webb has a ridiculous FO/GO ratio. I think that makes the biggest difference.

Please platoon Chad Tracy with someone other than Chris Burke!

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

When on the mound, I believe Harden would beat any pitcher in the game.

But since he is hurt alot, I would not pick him first to be on my team.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 8, 2008 7:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

Shouldn't he be

undefeated then?

Mark Reynolds: Turning me gay since '07

by DbacksSkins on Jul 9, 2008 12:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

He's not going to go 9 innings every day.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 9, 2008 6:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

Or give up no runs.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 9, 2008 6:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

And another thing,

why do you comment on a lot of posts after the game ends? I press Z on my computer the next day on a game thread and most the comments that on unread are yours.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 9, 2008 6:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

Because I'm interested in the discussion,

and while this game was going on, I was shuttling across Chicago and then waiting for the airport.

Mark Reynolds: Turning me gay since '07

by DbacksSkins on Jul 9, 2008 6:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

*at

Mark Reynolds: Turning me gay since '07

by DbacksSkins on Jul 9, 2008 6:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well, let's backtrack a bit then.

If he’s better than any of those guys, and hasn’t been injured this year, then why does Brandon Webb lead the majors in wins, rather than Rich Harden?

Mark Reynolds: Turning me gay since '07

by DbacksSkins on Jul 9, 2008 6:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

Harden has been hurt.

Pitched on April 2, then didn’t pitch until May 11. Only given up 5 runs once this year. 92 K’s in 77 innings with a 2.34 ERA.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 9, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up 0 recs

This post makes no sense,

so I’ll just add

Webb – 142 ERA+
Harden – 127
Haren – 117
Zambrano – 132

by dahlian on Jul 8, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thank you

Where do I find ERA+ figures?

Please platoon Chad Tracy with someone other than Chris Burke!

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

The baseball bible

a.k.a. the same site you’ve already linked multiple times this thread.

If you’re not familiar with all the stuff B-Ref has to offer I would recommend you spend an hour or so going through their numbers, splits, game logs and everything else Foreman has to offer. It’s amazing how much information is contained on that site.

by dahlian on Jul 8, 2008 8:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

I wish it was just a bit

more user friendly. I’m sure if you use it a lot, you get used to the nooks and crannies, but sometimes it feels like it takes forever to find an answer.

By all means hit at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.

by soco on Jul 8, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

How so?

I guess I can see where things like the splits page may be a bit daunting for the unfamiliar.

by dahlian on Jul 8, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

I've been using baseball reference

As a starting point for just about every thing i write for the snakepit.

Please platoon Chad Tracy with someone other than Chris Burke!

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 11:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah....

important to point out—srdmad, sure, Harden’s ERA this year is damned solid, but he’s also been pitching in a football stadium all season.

Mark Reynolds: Turning me gay since '07

by DbacksSkins on Jul 9, 2008 12:07 PM EDT up 0 recs

Today's lineup

C. Young cf .236
S. Drew ss .256
O. Hudson 2b .302
C. Jackson 1b .300
M. Reynolds 3b .255
J. Upton rf .242
R. Hammock c .179
C. Burke lf .173
B. Webb p .152

Not a bottom third that strikes terror into opposing pitchers. If Hammock and Burke don’t get a hit first time up, and Webb does, he’ll have the best batting average of the trio…

by Jim McLennan on Jul 8, 2008 6:54 PM EDT 0 recs

I hope

Hammock doesn’t get a nose-bleed batting that high in the lineup – courtesy of Burke. He hasn’t been higher than seventh since 2004.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 8, 2008 7:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

I really wish

we had someone better than Burke to platoon with Tracy. Yeah, he can probably hit left handed pitching better than Tracy, but there’s gotta be some better options out there than Burke.

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 6:58 PM EDT 0 recs

Just looked up Burke's career splits...

And he’s .269/ .341/ .381 hitter against LHP. That’s not exactly a huge improvement over Tracy’s .220/.268/.336. line against LHP.

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 7:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

is there any chance that augie can play left feild or catcher?

I find your lack of faith disturbing...

by utahdbacksfan on Jul 8, 2008 7:04 PM EDT 0 recs

He's never played either position in his career.

All though I do think he could probably handle left field.

Please platoon Chad Tracy with someone other than Chris Burke!

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 7:07 PM EDT up 0 recs

well anyones got to better than burke…

I find your lack of faith disturbing...

by utahdbacksfan on Jul 8, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

Welcome!

We live in hope. :-) Probably unlikely, though they say that LF is generally an easier position to play than the ones he usually occupies. I’d certainly like to see him in the lineup more often, and definitely in preference to Burke.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 8, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

ive always wondered what the point is of using burke when augie is sitting on the bench, but apparently melvin doesnt care about ability

I find your lack of faith disturbing...

by utahdbacksfan on Jul 8, 2008 7:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Augie doesn’t play left field.

"Evil lurks everywhere, often in plain sight... Can you lurk in plain sight? Or is that just walking?"

by kishi on Jul 8, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

Probably won’t be around much tonight, but I’m optimistic about the game. Here’s hoping for another good game from Webb, and some offense showing up tonight…

"Evil lurks everywhere, often in plain sight... Can you lurk in plain sight? Or is that just walking?"

by kishi on Jul 8, 2008 7:09 PM EDT 0 recs

Let's have a Webb's Wonder

which come to think of it ,is a lettuce

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

by hotclaws on Jul 8, 2008 7:11 PM EDT 0 recs

OT - hahahahahha funny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7qKD-Ph7ds

Jonathon does not need to mull this one for long. Jonathon turns to the reporter and says, in a voice that is both flat and emphatic:

"I like turtles."

ROFLMAOLOL!

by Muu on Jul 8, 2008 7:11 PM EDT 0 recs

And here we go...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 8, 2008 7:14 PM EDT 0 recs

Dreeeeeewwwwww

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

by hotclaws on Jul 8, 2008 7:16 PM EDT 0 recs

does anyone else feel like we got the short end of the stick in the houston trade? i mean burke and qualls for valverde? neither of them have exactly done us favors this year

I find your lack of faith disturbing...

by utahdbacksfan on Jul 8, 2008 7:17 PM EDT 0 recs

You got me. The bullpen worked basically like clockwork last season, so why screw it up.

by TwinnerA on Jul 8, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Money

Valverde was due a big salary jump as a result of arbitration. Qualls was expected to have about the same level of performance – and, in his defense, his ERA is better than Valverde’s – at a much lower cost.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 8, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

my stomach found Valverde harder to take

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

by hotclaws on Jul 8, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

It was an adventure with Valverde, but he got the job done.

by TwinnerA on Jul 8, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Valverde hasn't exactly been lights out this year

4.01 ERA, 22 saves.. 5 blown saves.

Please platoon Chad Tracy with someone other than Chris Burke!

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 7:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

Last week I said something about the Valverde trade and everyone

went crazy on me, cause they thought it was a good deal for us.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 8, 2008 7:20 PM EDT 0 recs

I never really liked the valverde trade all that much.

Qualls has been up and down, but has been better than valverde this year… Burke has been crap.. and guitierrez has been shit. I think we could have gotten a more quality return

Please platoon Chad Tracy with someone other than Chris Burke!

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

It's not as good as we thought

But Qualls has been okay except for the whole inherited runners thing.

If only we’d traded Valverde for a quality outfielder… :-(

by Jim McLennan on Jul 8, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think it's a bit too early to completely bail on Qualls

since this is the first time in his career he’s had such inherited runners problem. Maybe I’m crazy, but I think three plus seasons of pitching will be more indicative Qualls’ true talent level than a bad month. Specifically, with RISP hitters have put up a .340/.403/.491 line (with a .425 BABIP) while for his career hitters have put up a .260/.338/.392 line (with a .292 BABIP) in the same situation.

If Qualls had been used as a closer, he would be putting up numbers as good as or better than Valverde. Similarly, if Valverde had been used in Qualls role we would all have the pleasure of seeing just how excruciating a reliever that gives up eight home runs in 40 innings can be.

Also, Qualls is under team control for two more seasons. Even if Burke is garbage and Gutierrez disappointing, I’ll take three years of Qualls over one year of Valverde any day.

by dahlian on Jul 8, 2008 7:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

Qualls

has been subject to some pretty bad luck lately, but even if it were Qualls for Valverde straight up, (which it’s starting to look like) I’d still take it as a profit for the Dbacks.

Unfortunately, with all the hype of the most saves in the majors last year, trading Papa Grande to a stupid team like the Astros probably should have gotten us more value….

Mark Reynolds: Turning me gay since '07

by DbacksSkins on Jul 9, 2008 12:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

it's just me or

someone else doesn’t like this high view camera they use when somebody hits?

Jonathon does not need to mull this one for long. Jonathon turns to the reporter and says, in a voice that is both flat and emphatic:

"I like turtles."

ROFLMAOLOL!

by Muu on Jul 8, 2008 7:24 PM EDT 0 recs

There goes Ben's no-hitter

After exactly two batters. :-(

by Jim McLennan on Jul 8, 2008 7:25 PM EDT 0 recs

Of course

But Perez’ is still intact.

Fire Bob Melvin. Free Jamie D'Antona. Eric Byrnes Sucks.

by nihil67 on Jul 8, 2008 7:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

Actually

it was an excellent stab, with Angel Hernandez behind the plate. After the DP, Webb’s still working to the minimum 27 batters :-)

by Diamondhacks on Jul 8, 2008 7:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

4-3-6!

Awesome.

Two days later, Eric Byrnes missed three games for excessive crying, and started listening to emo. At the same time, Emily changed her name to emilylovesthedbacksexceptthatloserericbyrnes.

by emilylovesthedbacks on Jul 8, 2008 7:25 PM EDT 0 recs