Daily News Dump 08/30/07 - And the winner is....?

by snakecharmer on Aug 30, 2007 12:23 PM EDT in Diamondbacks News

Voting in the naming poll is pretty close! So let's wait another day for anyone else who wants a say to get their vote in.

And um... three DNDs, three losses... coincidence?? :(

I read the recap on the train on the way back from the theatre last night and knew this wasn't going to be an enjoyable article today, so let's dive right in.

AP recap is mostly focused on Maddux, with a nice "oh by the way, Owings pitched well too" thrown in two-thirds down. Just...blargh. The Arizona MLB.com recap discusses the game much better from Arizona's perspective. The Tribune recap has nothing noteworthy.

The Republic recap talks about the tailspin we're in. Seven losses in 10 games, and we're hitting 12 for 75 (that's .160) with RISP. That's not going to cut it. But, as Snyder points out:

It's not like just because they won three games that they have a five-game lead over us. We're even. We've got tomorrow and three more games coming up against them (next week) and a whole month to play.

Important notes for today, though they're kind of the same everywhere:

Livan Hernandez is starting tomorrow against Colorado, going on three days' rest. Dana Eveland will pitch Saturday when rosters expand. Notes from Arizona MLB.com discusses the move in-depth.
Magruder points out another important factor in going with Eveland:

The D-Backs weighed several factors, not the least of which was Eveland's statistical advantage against left-handed hitters in the minor leagues. Lefties Todd Helton and Brad Hawpe are two of the Rockies' most productive hitters, and both are less effective against lefties.

Everyone is discussing the "six or seven" players that are likely to be called up on Saturday: Eveland, Callaspo, Hammock, Bonifacio, Quentin, and Peguero and Medders (no, really? please no)
Injury updates: Piecoro says Clark will likely start tonight. MLB.com reports nothing new with Tracy. And Brett Butler's stroke was likely caused by scar tissue left from cancer treatment 11 years ago. Williams will finish out the season as interim manager.

That's about all I've got this morning. Have at it...

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We've got a month to play

but if we play like this for a month we're going to end up in 4th place.

by andrewinnewyork on Aug 30, 2007 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

A lefty situation

A point from Piecoro's notes that I think is worthy of a discussion...

Left-hander Doug Slaten threw one-third of an inning Tuesday night, his first appearance since Aug. 19. Melvin said he had not been able to get Slaten work because, "The teams we were playing, there was no true left-handed matchups for him."

I'm sorry, I just... don't quite see the logic in this. Maybe I just don't like or understand the role of a lefty specialist. I understand that lefty specialists shouldn't face too many righties or else they'll get blown up and lose their confidence, but saving a guy only for a "true left-handed matchup"?? I think a "lefty specialist" should be able to get other left-handed batters out too. There's something off about a guy not being allowed to pitch for 10 days and then expect him to come in and get ONE batter out.

Thoughts?

by snakecharmer on Aug 30, 2007 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, that seemed weird

I'm not sure what they mean by "true" left-handed matchups. As opposed, presumably, to right-handers who've decided to swing from the other side, for a bit of a laugh. Before the season, we were talking about Slaten being the kind of guy who could get both lefties and righties out. Now, it seems he can only be used for "true" lefties...and hasn't been doing too well with them of late. But more on that in the upcoming report...

by Jim McLennan on Aug 30, 2007 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

See, it seems more like....

When they bring in Slaten specifically to face a certain lefty, he gets nervous and more often than not ends up walking him or allowing a hit. However, if BoMel lets him pitch a full inning, lefties, righties or otherwise, he's usually golden.

Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 30, 2007 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions