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Let's see if our rotation can keep going on this phenomenal streak of quality starts, now up to eight. Indeed "quality" seems an understatement in the case of the Reds series, where they averaged seven innings each, with an ERA of 0.43. I think we'd settle for that ERA, or even half a dozen times that, in this series against the Mets.
Vargas did well enough for the win last time out, pitching six frames and allowing only two first-inning runs; Trachsel got lit up by the Phillies, with a toasty six earned runs in five innings. His starts in May have seen steadily-increasing control issues, and steadily-decreasing strikeouts, so patience may prove particularly beneficial.
The Mets are only seventh in runs scored in the league, and have been doing it mostly with pitching - their 3.91 ERA trails only St. Louis and LA. However, outside of Pedro and Tom Glavine, their rotation has been a work in progress: El Duque, who won yesterday against Florida, is the tenth different starter they've used this year already. We won't see him or Glavine this series though.
Infielder injury alert! But, before you rush out to buy your Drew shirts, I should mention Counsell feels fine - it's Damion Easley, whose back has been playing him up. The Diamondbacks are hoping he'll be able to avoid any DL time, but if he does, we'll likely see more of Andy Green, with Alberto Callaspo called up to fill the pine-riding spot.