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Gameday Thread, #25: 4/28 vs. Giants

Mrsnakepit_tiny by Jim McLennan on in Gameday Threads

Matt Cain, RHP (1-1, 1.55)
Edgar Gonzalez, RHP (1-2, 4.26)

Matt Cain = vastly over-rated. If you just looked at his ERA, you'd think the guy has been phenomenal this year. However, his Batting Average on Balls in Play is easily the best in the majors at .120 - 25 points better than the next man, and far below the expected average, which is usually .290-.300. Basically, he's been insanely lucky so far: DIPS, a defense-independent ERA, moves him all the way up to 4.37, again, the biggest jump in the majors. The wheels are overdue to fall off the Matt Cain bandwagon. Tonight would seem a good time.

By popular demand (okay, I forgot last time), we announce the return of the "things to watch for" section. Whenever Mrs. SnakePit and I go to a game, I come up with a set of eight predictions for what we want to happen (the obvious "win" is taken as read), and we see how many of those come true. Here are tonight's expectations:

  • The roof should be open
  • O-Dawg celebrates his Golden Glove by getting at least one hit
  • Quality start from EdGon
  • Homer by one of the Young Bloods (Quentin, Drew, Young or Montero)
  • No GIDPs by Arizona
  • Bonds kept in the park
  • Multi-hit game for Jackson
  • Bullpen with ERA below 3.00 tonight.

Feel free to make predictions of your own too. Getting this one up very early, since the plan is to beat the rush by going downtown around 5pm, then snag a free parking spot, get some dinner, and take it gently as we head to the game. Always nice to beat the Giants. Particularly nice to take the series this evening, and give us the chance at sweeping them tomorrow, as they swept us by the Bay. And amazingly nice to do it while we're there: last time's game was pretty miserable, a 5-1 loss to the Dodgers in which we didn't play well at all.

Curiously, EdGon started that game as well. But this might be his last outing, however: Micah Owings gets his rehab appearance for Tucson tonight, and if all goes well will be eligible to come off the DL on May 3rd, just in time for his/EdGon's next start. So, this evening, EdGon could be playing for his spot in the rotation. Last time, he was excellent, very unluckily losing 1-0 to Barry Zito, so let's hope he can be just as good this time. Another such outing might not make the upcoming decision on who's our #5 any easier, but that would certainly be a nice dilemma to have: which of our above-NL average starters do we keep in the rotation?

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as a miami dolphins fan...
my prediction is the dbacks won't do anything as stupid as the dolphins picking tedd ginn jr over brady quinn in the nfl draft. kjaskldfjlk;asdf

by gary ho on Apr 28, 2007 6:59 PM EDT   0 recs

LOL
at least u got beck
"very cunning Mr. *VIII*" -- Jim

by Mr. Philosophical on Apr 28, 2007 7:29 PM EDT   0 recs

Dust Storm
This afternoons dust storm probably means roof will be closed. Usually if they are expecting high winds, or there is a possibility, they won't open it, because they can't move the thing  to close it later when the winds is blowing hard.

O Dawg is 3 for his last 20.  Were it not his bobblehead night, I would be advocating a day off for him. It will probably have to wait till Sunday or Monday though. He is overdue for a day off however.

by shoewizard on Apr 28, 2007 7:34 PM EDT   0 recs

I think
we keep EdGon in the rotation as long as he keeps pitching the way he is right now.  Save Owings for when one of our many old guys goes on DL.

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 7:34 PM EDT   0 recs

BABIP
Cain's ridiculous BABIP is even more surprising given that he's backed by the Geriatric crew, who sport a below average defender at nearly every position.  Let's hope his luck turns starting TONIGHT.

by johngordonma on Apr 28, 2007 7:50 PM EDT   0 recs

Mmmpf.
Except short , center , and wherever Aurilia will be.
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 8:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Morning all
Lets get ready for Saturday night/Sunday morning baseball ;) oh Jim, I don't have a clue how to send you that essay btw :D

by Wimb on Apr 28, 2007 8:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Tonight's (or morning's for me) Lineup
  1. Young, CF
  2. Callaspo, SS
  3. Hudson, 2B
  4. Byrnes, LF
  5. Tracy, 3B
  6. Clark, 1B
  7. Quentin, RF
  8. Montero, C
9, Gonzalez, Ed, P

No Jackson or Drew, are they injured or something? Especially since Drew is starting to heat up.

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 9:06 PM EDT   0 recs

Drew's out with a Groin injury...
So Bob dosen't just sit one of the hottest hitter on the team without a reason then.

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Drew's out with a Groin injury...
So Bob dosen't just sit one of the hottest hitter on the team without a reason then.

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

You don't walk
Dave Roberts!!!!

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 9:42 PM EDT   0 recs

Let Roberts
try and beat you with his bat!

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 9:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Edgar
is trying to find his way to the bullpen

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 9:47 PM EDT   0 recs

Pitching
to Barry?  Risky

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 9:49 PM EDT   0 recs

Yup.
Enjoy that freebie at the Mark Hopkins next time you're in town , Bob!
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 9:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Why?
Why pitch to Barry with 1st base open?  Stupid!

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 9:50 PM EDT   0 recs

Apparently You've Never Met This Guy...
...but he's dangerous.
Just thought you could use the heads up there.
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 9:53 PM EDT   0 recs

Apparantly
BoMel forgot who he is.  Only the future HR leader of all time.  Go ahead and pitch to him with 2 outs and 1st base open.

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 9:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

this could get worse
edgon's got to settle down, or this one could be over before it begins.

by johngordonma on Apr 28, 2007 10:05 PM EDT   0 recs

4 straight balls
with full bases.  where is Micah Owings?

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 10:08 PM EDT   0 recs

Giants' Charity Drive
Give 'til it hurts.
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 10:10 PM EDT   0 recs

Yes
Thank you!

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 10:14 PM EDT   0 recs

MMmmph.
Coneo.
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 10:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Strikes out Aurilia to get out of the inning
That was too scary, too early, in the game.

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 10:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Not excited
about how this game is going so far.  

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 10:17 PM EDT   0 recs

I feel a good game
coming from Quentin tonight.  

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 10:18 PM EDT   0 recs

Great at bat by Clark
Now to see what Quentin can do.

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 10:23 PM EDT   0 recs

Yes,
Quentin could get us back in this thing.

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 28, 2007 10:24 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

D'oh!
GIDP by Quentin. Gonzalez will have to keep us in this...

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 10:27 PM EDT   0 recs

Hey!
We'll give you Zito money if you'll swing more!
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 10:28 PM EDT   0 recs

I really can't believe
you actually pitched to him again.
Melvin is , indeed , an idiot.
But thanks.
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 10:30 PM EDT   0 recs

Gonzalez seems to settle down now.
A nice inning by him, now for the offense to wake up..

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 10:35 PM EDT   0 recs

He's In Shock
That Bob cared about his feelings so little that he'd have him pitch to Barry again.

He'll bump into B.K. Kim...and Tony Soprano...in Dr. Melfi's waiting room.

Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 10:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Homer by Feliz..
This is not looking good at all...

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 10:44 PM EDT   0 recs

Walk Bonds?
Melvin finally makes a good decision, though it may have been too late...

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 10:55 PM EDT   0 recs

All Right...
...who woke Melvin up?
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 10:55 PM EDT   0 recs

Finally, a hit.
Clark base hit.. Runners on 1st and 3rd, Quentin with the RBI opportunity.

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:03 PM EDT   0 recs

RBI groundout by Quentin
Now to start chipping away at the lead!

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:06 PM EDT   0 recs

Wait...
If the 3rd strike is dropped can't the runner run to 1st?
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 11:10 PM EDT   0 recs

There is a runner at first..
So it will be a strike out even if the cather drops the pitch.

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Huh?
Why are we pinch hitting for Gonzalez after just 5 innings and 76 pitches?

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:10 PM EDT   0 recs

'Scuse me...
...batter...
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 11:10 PM EDT   0 recs

Cain is at 90 pitches...
So chances are he will not last beyond the 7th, and then it will be time for us to exploit their bullpen.  

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:15 PM EDT   0 recs

very prophetic
senor singapore

by johngordonma on Apr 29, 2007 6:21 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Still no offence
This is getting really irritating...

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:26 PM EDT   0 recs

Cain is out
Unlike against the Padres, I have a great deal of faith in our hitters against the Giant's bullpen. Come on Dbacks!

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:31 PM EDT   0 recs

Come on offense!
M's/D-Backs fan

by Goose on Apr 28, 2007 11:32 PM EDT   0 recs

Nice at bat Quentin.
M's/D-Backs fan

by Goose on Apr 28, 2007 11:42 PM EDT   0 recs

Montero!
M's/D-Backs fan

by Goose on Apr 28, 2007 11:44 PM EDT   0 recs

Sweet! Montero comes through!
Now its Hairston's turn to keep the rally going.

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:46 PM EDT   0 recs

And he does! Clutch!
More runs! Dbacks take the lead 5 - 4!

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:48 PM EDT   0 recs

Well ,
There's that expletive exploitation you mentioned earlier...
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 28, 2007 11:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Bonds
Well we have to take advantage of the Giants bullpen if we are pitching to Bonds, no? :) Thankfully we only walked him.

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 28, 2007 11:58 PM EDT   0 recs

Right.
I'm still shaking my head about the logic of that.
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 29, 2007 12:14 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Valverde
Let's hope he doesn't make this game any more dramatic in the ninth with unnecessary base runners!!!!

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:05 AM EDT   0 recs

Because of how shake Valverde has been
lately, an insurance run or two would be nice.
M's/D-Backs fan

by Goose on Apr 29, 2007 12:06 AM EDT   0 recs

O Dawn
keeping the streak alive... let's get some insurance

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:08 AM EDT   0 recs

o dawg that is

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:08 AM EDT   0 recs

Horrible AB
for Byrnes

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:11 AM EDT   0 recs

Nice
Tracy puts a RISP

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:11 AM EDT   0 recs

Time for TC v2005
to get a three run jack

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:12 AM EDT   0 recs

Keep this up
and we'll bring in Armando.
He'll be good for a couple of laughs.
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 29, 2007 12:12 AM EDT   0 recs

hmmmmm
DP is not quite what i meant

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:13 AM EDT   0 recs

So much for insurance runs...
Now for Valverde to nail down the victory.

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 29, 2007 12:14 AM EDT   0 recs

Confidence
okay, I am feeling that Valverde will have a solid 1 2 3 inning with NO DRAMA.... thats my story and I'm sticking to it....  it has to happen eventually, right???

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:15 AM EDT   0 recs

Quick and painless Valverde.
Please.
M's/D-Backs fan

by Goose on Apr 29, 2007 12:15 AM EDT   0 recs

$#@$#@!$@ Valverde
it never fails

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:18 AM EDT   0 recs

one down...
two to go... a dp to end it?

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:19 AM EDT   0 recs

1 down
M's/D-Backs fan

by Goose on Apr 29, 2007 12:19 AM EDT   0 recs

Damnit.
M's/D-Backs fan

by Goose on Apr 29, 2007 12:20 AM EDT   0 recs

Huh.
I heartily agree.
Zito! Awwwwwright! Now we're back to....oh no.

by suitsmetoATnT on Apr 29, 2007 7:16 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

there you go valverde
give the runner a free pass to scoring position

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:20 AM EDT   0 recs

why
did i think for a second we could have an easy save?

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:21 AM EDT   0 recs

holy f'n lucky
that was 1/2 inch from tying the game

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:22 AM EDT   0 recs

Was it that close?
From where I was sitting, I thought it was fair.  that play alone was about a 9.2 on the ole sphincter factor...

by unnamedDBacksfan on Apr 29, 2007 2:48 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

2 down
M's/D-Backs fan

by Goose on Apr 29, 2007 12:23 AM EDT   0 recs

how thin is the ice
that valverde is STOMPING on??

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:23 AM EDT   0 recs

1 more strike

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:24 AM EDT   0 recs

it ends here

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:26 AM EDT   0 recs

He got it!!!
another dramatic save for papa muy GRANDE!

by azdbacks51 on Apr 29, 2007 12:27 AM EDT   0 recs

Ballgame! D-Backs win!
4 in a row! Half game out of first place!
M's/D-Backs fan

by Goose on Apr 29, 2007 12:27 AM EDT   0 recs

Dbacks win!!
Another exciting end to the game... I think I age about a year with every Valverde save.

by singaporedbacksfan on Apr 29, 2007 12:28 AM EDT   0 recs

It is nice to see us smack the G-men
Scott Hairston comes through with a gigantic HR to move the Dbacks ahead to stay.

Looks like the G-Men have no relief corp to help out their beleaguered starters.

Cain today.  Zito last night.

I think a sweep would be very appropos to get even with Barroid and the Boys!

I look forward to tomorrow.

LiveStrong - wear yellow; the truth is out there (X-Files); "Go with throttle up!" (Challenger Space Heroes); "bababooey to you all!" Howard (Sirius) fan.

by icecoldmo on Apr 29, 2007 12:32 AM EDT   0 recs