AZ Snakepit: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

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

Gameday Thread, #122: 8/15 vs. Astros

Mrsnakepit_tiny by Jim McLennan on

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Houston Astros


Ari_medium

Brandon Webb
RHP, 17-4, 2.88
hou_medium

Wandy Rodriguez
LHP, 7-4, 3.89

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

In all likelihood, Brandon Webb has nine starts left this year. Based on his current win percentage [68% - 17 in 25 starts], he should win six of those, to give him 23 wins on the season. That's a total not seen in the National League since 2002, when Arizona's dynamic duo of Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson had 23 and 24 wins respectively. The only other National League pitcher since 1988 with so many victories, was John Smoltz, who had 24 for Atlanta in 1996. So, Webb's performance this year is something pretty special.

Webb has won his last four outings, allowing just one run in three of those, and with an ERA of 1.80 over those 30 innings. He's been remarkably efficient of late, taking only 13.4 pitches per frame, and has allowed only one extra-base hit [a double] in those four games, restricting opponents to a slugging percentage of .245. With Arizona now deadlocked with the Los Angeles in a dogfight only one of them can really win, a good performance from our ace will be welcome.

The Astros come in with an eight-game winning streak, that has got them above .500 for the first time since the opening week of June. Admittedly, this is less impressive when you realize it comes courtesy of the Reds and Giants, whom Houston swept in four-game series - still, they have scored an average of 7.5 runs during the streak, batting .320 and with an OPS of .931 in those eight contests. Wise not to take them lightly - despite the gruesome loss of Carlos Lee, who broke a finger in six places.

We took two of three against the Astros earlier in the season, back at Chase, but all three games were close, decided by two or less runs. Webb didn't face them in that series, but of those Houston players with 20+ ABs against Webb, Matsui and Loretta are both over .400, while Blum is down at .172 - and Berkman, the Astros' biggest threat, is only 2-for-20 lifetime against our ace. We didn't face Rodriguez either, and only Dunn has faced him in more than ten at-bats: he's done pretty well, going 7-for-17, with two homers. Maybe today will be the day he gets his first HR for us; who'd have had Burke homering before Dunn?

At The Sets tonight, for a charity comedy event, but with the early start, should be about for most of this, save the journey to the venue.

Poll
How many wins will Webb end with?
20 or less
0 votes
21
15 votes
22
19 votes
23
23 votes
24
19 votes
25 or more
10 votes

86 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 746 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Go Dbacks!

With Webb on the mound, we have a good chance to win!! Dodgers are playing well, I guess with their 4 game sweep (impressive, i won’t lie) of Philly, much of everyone thinks this is their division..

Prove them wrong Dbacks!

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 6:47 PM EDT   0 recs

I'll be around until probably 7ish

at which point I log off to avoid spoilers. :)

Webb is having a fabulous year… who knew after 2006 it could get even better!

by snakecharmer on Aug 15, 2008 7:03 PM EDT   0 recs

Well as it's the weekend

I might well be around :) lets go Webby

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on Aug 15, 2008 7:42 PM EDT   0 recs

Lets Go

Todays the day Dunn hits his first dbacks home run!! We got Webby going on the mound tonight… lets get some early runs

by J Up on Aug 15, 2008 7:44 PM EDT   0 recs

Tonight's lineup
  1. S. Drew ss .282
  2. C. Young cf .236
  3. C. Jackson lf .306
  4. A. Dunn rf .234
  5. M. Reynolds 3b .248
  6. T. Clark 1b .230
  7. C. Snyder c .245
  8. C. Burke 2b .197
  9. B. Webb p .157
    Burke gets another start at second, hoping to build on his first home-run of the year on Thursday in Colorado. Maybe he could end the day above the Uecker line? 1-for-3 with a walk would put him exactly at .200…

by Jim McLennan on Aug 15, 2008 7:47 PM EDT   0 recs

Clark in as well...

Tracy had been swinging it well in Colorado, kind of wish he were given another start… Oh well, Clark better make the most of it, as Burke better as well.. I remember watching that extra inning game when he was in Houston, i think it was like 18 innings, maybe not, but he hit that homerun, it was pretty sweet.

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 7:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Tracy

is NOT particularly impressive against lefties… although he’s been better, lately.

Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 15, 2008 8:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

True

Though he did hit one of those HR in Coors Field off a lefty.

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hence

“lately”

Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 15, 2008 9:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah!

Hence!

Proud supporter of Randy going for 300, even next year.

by AJforAZ on Aug 15, 2008 9:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I really hope

that was not a reference to a trailer for a horrible movie that I am seeing everywhere.

by emilylovesthedbacks on Aug 15, 2008 10:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I had forgotten today was an earlier game. Well, let’s go out there and get Webb #18!

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 7:59 PM EDT   0 recs

While much of the local mound talk

has centered around Haren, and Johnson to some extent, Brandon has once again positioned himself as the Cy Young frontrunner in the NL, in that relatively quiet way of his.

Still a lot of baseball left, but put another way, the award’s his to lose at this point. A solid win against a hot club tonight would put him four wins over the CYA field, a huge margin for rivals to overtake against a pitcher of Brandon’s durable quality.

Today’s ballot:

Webb ( I say he gets 21 wins)
Volquez
Lincecum
Dempster

Dark horses incl Zambrano, Sheets, Haren, and if the Phils win the east and he doesnt blow any saves all year – Brad Lidge. Dark, dark horse – CC Sabathia. I cant envision anyone else winning, short of throwing back to back no hitters or something.

by Diamondhacks on Aug 15, 2008 8:02 PM EDT   0 recs

I'd have to agree

Still very early.. but he’s the clear cut leader as of now… No one else in the NL even has 15 wins… So with a win tonight, he’ll have 4 more wins than the next. If Webb doesn’t get it, which i hope he does, but I would want Lincecum to get it. He is damn good, on a crappy team. I really hope that Sabathia isn’t considered to much, he didn’t have a great first half.

Let’s hope Webb keeps it up, and the Dbacks take control of the West!

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I think if Haren wasn’t on the same team as Webb, he’d be a front runner, too.

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wasn't he the front runner

before he gave up 6 runs the start before last? or no?

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

By ESPN’s Cy Young Predictor, he and Webb were 1 and 2 before that 6 run outing. After yesterday’s good start, he’s back up to #3, behind Lincecum.

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Good to have

two players competing for that award on your team!

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Last year, Webb was #2 at the end of the season, followed by…. (dramatic pause)

Jose Valverde.

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh really??

Wow! I didn’t know that

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don’t entirely agree with the system they have there, but it’s interesting.

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He was close to leading in ERA

But he has been a long way behind Webb in wins. On May 15, Webb had nine wins, Haren only four.

by Jim McLennan on Aug 15, 2008 8:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Which

tells you what a stupid stat “wins” are.

Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 15, 2008 9:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Truth

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 9:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I take your point

but if he wasnt on the same team as Webb, he might also be 13-6 for a third or fourth place team ;-)

by Diamondhacks on Aug 15, 2008 8:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

And Dreww extends the streak

Nice double to lead it off.

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:06 PM EDT   0 recs

17 games for Drew!

Nice lead off Double!!

Capitalize dbacks!

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:06 PM EDT   0 recs

And let's not forget

Don’t hit the ball in the air to center.

by snakecharmer on Aug 15, 2008 8:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Next time, tell CY before he goes up to bat…

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Doesn't help much

Remember how far that noise has to travel, and he’s in a closed stadium anyway.

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson

by Scrbl on Aug 15, 2008 8:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

CY

Can really take advantage of the short porch in Left.

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:07 PM EDT   0 recs

Aargh

Drew’s streak is now the =4th longest in the league this year. Top is 19, by both Matt Kemp and Nate McLouth.

by Jim McLennan on Aug 15, 2008 8:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well

He got him to third, so it was a productive out.

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:08 PM EDT   0 recs

Walk

2 on for Dunn

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:10 PM EDT   0 recs

Add another walk

Bases loaded! Take advantage Reynolds!! Jump out early on a hot team!

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Walk to Dunn

Bases loaded for Mark Reynolds…

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:13 PM EDT   0 recs

Wow is Roriguez wild

this outing… THANKS!

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:14 PM EDT   0 recs

3-0 on Reynolds

Oh, man…

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:14 PM EDT   0 recs

Now it's a full count

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Walk!

1-0!

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh wow, bases-loaded walk!

It’s not a HR but it’ll do!

by snakecharmer on Aug 15, 2008 8:16 PM EDT   0 recs

I’m luvin’ Jackson and Dunn back to back….remember what I said a few days back about pissing pitchers off

by Diamondhacks on Aug 15, 2008 8:16 PM EDT   0 recs

You get

back to back OBP with CoJack then Dunn, and back to back power with Dunn then Reynolds.

Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 15, 2008 11:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Way to go CLARK!

RBI single.
2-0

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:16 PM EDT   0 recs

At this point

I would be stapling Clark’s bat to his shoulder, to prevent the otherwise almost-inevitable double-play.

Yeah, set your expectations low, that’s what I say… :-)

by Jim McLennan on Aug 15, 2008 8:16 PM EDT   0 recs

2-0!

RBI single for Clark, bases still loaded!

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Come on Snyder!

Clear the bases!

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Woo!

Im a little drunk and we have runs on the board, god bless Fridays :)

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on Aug 15, 2008 8:18 PM EDT   0 recs

soco's keys to the game

1) Listen for awhile
2) Get some grub
3) Go to the movies
4) Dessert?

2-0 already? Alright!

Yub, yub!

by soco on Aug 15, 2008 8:18 PM EDT   0 recs

lol

Another RBI via a walk

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:19 PM EDT   0 recs

Knew yesterday was a fluke..

though it was a good pitch. Help yourself Webby!

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:21 PM EDT   0 recs

Well, normal service has been resumed

Still, nice to get Webb to the plate before he has to throw a pitch…

by Jim McLennan on Aug 15, 2008 8:22 PM EDT   0 recs

Come on, Webb!

How about some RBIs?

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:22 PM EDT   0 recs

Webb K's but that's okay

he’s got a nice little lead to work with.

Yub, yub!

by soco on Aug 15, 2008 8:23 PM EDT   0 recs

Left bases loaded

But got 3 early against a hot team… Let’s go Webb! Continue your CY Young talk!!

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Well, nice to get through the lineup in the first

Don’t think this starter is likely to stick around too long for Houston.

Am I avoiding the subject, or am I doing philosophy?

by kishi on Aug 15, 2008 8:24 PM EDT   0 recs

I kind of like him

let him stay!

Yub, yub!

by soco on Aug 15, 2008 8:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Got to feel good

Giving Webb a three-run lead, when that’s the total of runs he has allowed in his past three starts and 23 innings…

by Jim McLennan on Aug 15, 2008 8:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Reeeeeeeeed Robin

yuuuuuuuuuum.

Yub, yub!

by soco on Aug 15, 2008 8:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Houston's come back

in 5 of their 8 wins during this 8 game win streak… We need to keep piling it on!

by ZonaBacks10 on Aug 15, 2008 8:25 PM EDT   0 recs

Wandy Rodriguez pitch-count

Forty after one inning.

Not long for this game, at that rate.

by Jim McLennan on Aug 15, 2008 8:25 PM EDT   0 recs

Please, please, please

someone assure me that our success tonight has nothing to do with me studying for a math test while I listen to the game. I don’t think I can take two more months of this!

"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson

by Scrbl on Aug 15, 2008 8:26 PM EDT   0 recs

Although

if I keep this up, I may be able to conclusively prove that the world does revolve around me, which would be a mixed blessing.

"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson

by Scrbl on Aug 15, 2008 8:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Whatever it takes

Muu spilled blood to get this team a win, literally. Staring at a few bits of calculus hardly seems like a sacrifice… :-)

by Jim McLennan on Aug 15, 2008 8:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Can I just shed some blood instead?

"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson

by Scrbl on Aug 15, 2008 8:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I dunno

we’ll need multiple examples to make a case. I think you should be good, but just in case you should study math tomorrow too.

Yub, yub!

by soco on Aug 15, 2008 8:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It's an all-weekend thing.

So I got that covered.

"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson

by Scrbl on Aug 15, 2008 8:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If we sweep

you’ll know your answer, and what we demand.

Yub, yub!

by soco on Aug 15, 2008 8:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yup.

He’ll have to become a math major, methinks.

Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 15, 2008 9:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

<