So, remember all that optimism? That feeling of oddly looking forward to the game last night? Kaput. The Diamondbacks certainly did their best to kill that off swiftly. And perhaps it was for the best, but that's just not much consolation right now. Now, we just have to survive the next 70-some games, and look for whatever bits of joy we can harvest from the season as it goes on.
Recaps:
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[azcentral.com] Arizona Diamondbacks routed by San Diego Padres to open second half of season - "We were dead offensively... I don't know how much longer we can say keep shaking it off and get after them tomorrow." Well, Adam, for $6 million, you have to keep trying.
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[sdnn.com] Padres get to Haren and Diamondbacks’ bullpen in convincing win -Oh, be fair. Our bullpen did much of their damage without the Padres actually doing anything.
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[dbacks.com] D-backs stumble out of second-half gate - "I just don't feel like we played a very good game." I can promise you, Gibson, none of us are going to disagree with you on that.
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[tsn.ca] Headley, Padres crush Diamondbacks - But at least the rest of the second half has to get better, right? Please?
DBacks News:
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[azcentral.com] Arizona Diamondbacks' Jerry Dipoto calls international signings a success - Of course, players signed on the international market probably aren't going to be seen in the majors for years to come, if ever, but we always need to plan ahead. And it'll give Zephon more players to talk about.
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[fangraphs.com] Dan Haren, Effectively Untouchable - Those high demands the DBacks would want for Haren? FanGraphs says A) he's worth it, and B) it's the DBacks way of saying that Haren isn't really available.
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[fanster.com] Arizona Diamondbacks Mid-Season Grades (Gulp) - Obviously, not good.
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[dbacks.com] Gibson hopes basic workout spurs team - Midseason, and we're making the team focus on the basics again. Uh, didn't we go through this last year, too?
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[bleacherreport.com] Arizona Diamondbacks: Handicapping the Legends Race - If you're looking for something to do next time you're at the part, you can get your friends to bet on the Legends Race. Bonus if you can con one of your buddies into putting money on Gracie.
Around Baseball:
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[hardballtimes.com] Bengie Molina and the cycle - How unlikely is it that Bengie Molina would hit for the cycle? Unlikely, but it might be more likely than you think. Well, it happened, so it's obviously more likely than most of us thought.
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[yahoo.com] Smoak's new address includes rebuilding - We always look at players that get traded to contenders, it's interesting to consider the other side of the deal, the guys who are suddenly facing the rest of the season in the basement.
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[boston.com] Red Sox are now over the luxury tax threshold - Excessively huge payrolls- they're not just for the Yankees anymore!
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[fangraphs.com] Eight Thoughts on Adam Dunn - What? You can't be a good hitter if you strikeout! Duh.
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[baseballprospectus.com] Indefensible - You might want to skip this if you aren't into stats. But Baseball Prospectus takes a look at how we measure defensive skill.
Okay, there's your links. Another game tonight, if you think you can tolerate it. The Green Lantern takes the mound, and we all hope for the best. Go Dbacks.