|
||
|
Neither ace was exactly ace-like during their Opening Day appearances, so both sides will be hoping for significant improvements there. Webb will want to settle down early, and avoid the first-inning jitters and apparent loss of control which plagued him in Colorado. Pitching coach Bryan Price has been saying all the right things: "The side session was perfect... It's just early energy...didn't concern me. I certainly expect it to be a lot better when he goes out Saturday." However, I think we'll be a lot happier after the performance today matches up to our expectations.
Patterson, of course, used to play for the Diamondbacks from 2002-2003, before being traded to the Expos for Randy Choate. Yeah, that worked out well, didn't it? Since then, Patterson has made 59 starts, and thrown 341 innings with an ERA of 3.96, while Randy Choate...er, hasn't. [Okay, since you insist: 73.2 innings, and a ERA of 4.89.] Could be more evidence that we just aren't very good with handling any issues suffered by our pitching prospects. Nothing personal: I hope Patterson crashes and burns, much as he did on Opening Day, when he allowed six earned runs in 3.2 innings. But I'd settle for the win.
Should be present for the game. We're contemplating seeing Grindhouse at some point over the weekend, but I think I've convinced Mrs. SnakePit to leave that until tomorrow. Be quieter then, y'see: that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. It is in no way connected to Webb pitching this afternoon, and the early morning start tomorrow, no, sir... :-)