SnakeBytes, 6/25: Uptonpalooza! Edition

So, did everyone have a good day off? 

Previews:

• [CBSSports.com] Diamondbacks-Rays Preview - As expected, Upton v. Upton is the main storyline of the series.

• [miamiherald.com] Arizona Diamondbacks (28-45) at Tampa Bay Rays (43-29), 7:10 p.m. - But not the only storyline- tonight, Edwin Jackson will make his second consecutive start against a former team.  He'll just miss going three in a row since he's not starting in the Dodgers series next week.

• [tbo.com] Rays try to earn their stripes against D-Backs tonight - I was noticing the striped socks when I watched the Rays-Padres game yesterday. I love the superstitions of baseball players.

• [azcentral.com] Brothers Justin, B.J. Upton to meet for first time in majors - If you've ever wondered just how bad the comments at AZCentral can really be, I submit this gem about Upton: "How long must we wait for Justin to break out? If this was the NFL, he'd already be a bust."  Uh-huh.

• [MLB.com] Close-knit Uptons to compete for first time - It would be pretty amazing to watch both of your sons playing professional sports.  "I'm sure they never thought it would happen, and it's a dream come true for them."

Okay, more news about people not named Upton after the jump, I promise.

• [foxsportsarizona.com] Upton: The sky is still the limit - Well, I never said there wouldn't be more about J-Up, too.  But a good article about Justin and his time in the majors.

• [ktar.com] You can't blame Phoenix fans for lack of fandom - And yet, somehow, I do.

• [dbacks.com] Inbox: Is it time for big move from D-backs? - Jim linked to this in the comments of another post, discussing Hinch, but there's also a good discussion of if we should trade Haren and what that would mean.

• [azcentral.com] Arizona Diamondbacks' Chad Qualls trying to stay positive - We all are, Chad.  We all are.  (Offer not valid in AZCentral comment section.)

Around the Vuvuzela:

• [yahoo.com] Report: Marlins lure Valentine out of hiding, hire him as manager - Worth including if only because they link to the video of Bobby Valentine's dugout disguise. Other sources say the Marlins will interview third base coach Bo Porter for the job, too.

• [mlbtraderumors.com] Cubs Designate Chad Tracy For Assignment - Bad news for the ex-DBack.  Chad was only receiving limited playing time, not even getting 50 plate appearances this season.

• [tbo.com] Could rival cities be leverage in Rays stadium deal? - So far, the Rays haven't threatened to move any further than across the bay to Tampa, but could they try to head somewhere like Vegas or Portland?

• [espn.com] John Wall is joining Stephen Strasburg, Donovan McNabb and Alex Ovechkin in Washington, D.C. Can any other city match that star power? - A look at the top four players in cities with all four major sports franchises.  Phoenix ranks #8, though they pick Webb as the DBacks representative? Really, ESPN?  Go with the guy who hasn't played in 14 months and not, say, Upton?

Your Daily Strasburg:

• [sbnation.com] Little Picture Of Stephen Strasburg With Name Scrawled Illegibly In Blue Ink Worth More Than Your House - This is eBay, folks, so until I hear that someone actually paid that much cash for the card, I'm skeptical.

Okay, and that's what we've got for today.  Our boys are back on the east coast again, so that means ridiculously early start times again.  But here's to a good showing against our expansion brethren, and go DBacks!