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Diamondbacks Line-up
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A.J. Pollock, CF
- Aaron Hill, 2B
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Jason Kubel, LF
- Cody Ross, RF
- Miguel Montero, C
- Martin Prado, 3B
- Didi Gregorius, SS
- Randall Delgado, P
Penultimate game before the All-Star break, and it's Native American Recognition Day at Chase Field. The D-backs recently hosted the 15th annual Inter-Tribal & Youth BaseballSoftball Tournament July 10-13 with 1,300-plus players from 5 states and 44 tribes. and the winning teams will be recognized today. Miss Gila River will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and Native American dancers and musicians will perform in-stadium. The first 20,000 fans today also get a free beach towel. Perhaps not the best timing for such a giveaway, but I'll say no more on the topic. I hope you appreciate this surprising restraint.
Even more uniquely, if you care to crank up 660 KTNN, which broadcasts out of Winslow Rock, Dan Arnold and George LaFrance will be calling the action in the native Navajo language, which I believe is a first. On it's own, might not be too useful (my Navajo is, frankly, a little rusty), but would be kinda cool to have that on if you're watching the game. The KTNN website has a 'Listen Live' button, although I'm not sure if MLB will do its usual suppression job, and insist all online broadcasts of an actual game broadcast are disabled. Because, of course, the Navajo-language market is so well-served by the MLB.tv app.
Haven't had much luck against Lohse of late. Over his last three outings, dating back to the start of last season, he has allowed two runs over 17.2 innings of work, which is an ERA fractionally above one. He held the D-backs to one run over six innings when we faced him at Miller Park in April, before a two-run passed ball against the Brewers' bullpen, allowed us to come out on top by a 3-1 margin. Delgado has given the D-backs three consecutive quality starts, but still has only one win on his record as an Arizona starter: last time, he allowed 11 hits to the Dodgers in six innings, and will be hoping for better luck this time.
Not sure I like this line-up, with Jason Kubel hitting in the clean-up spot. He has been struggling really badly of late, with virtually no power at all: his last extra-base hit was all the way back on June 21. Kubel's line over the past month is .217/.342/.233, with just that one double in sixty at-bats. Jack Magruder reports there are scouts from the White Sox and Yankees in town for this game, with the Yankees having been here all series. I get a feeling they are probably here more to scout the Brewers' impending fire-sale, but perhaps we can interest them in a slightly-used outfielder, who appears surplus to team requirements.
Dodgers already well under way against the Rockies, and are currently one run up in the sixth inning. If that score holds, all the more important for the D-backs to hold serve, and keep the margin in the West at a relatively comfortable 2 1/2 games.