Scientists will tell you that today is the longest day of the year. Diamondbacks fans laugh at such theories- every day the bullpen blows a lead is the longest day. Yes, even longer than the other longest days. It can only be measured using Schroedinger's watch.
But, a new series, maybe a time for more optimism? Yeah, it could work out! We're home, and we won our last home stand! Maybe this is the series our bats start working in time, and the bullpen holds together, and all we have to do is face- the Yankees, who have the best record in baseball? Hmm, maybe instead I should mention today is the birthday of Jean-Paul Sartre, who told us in his writing "All human activities are equivalent and all are on principle doomed to failure." Yeah, that seems more fitting than optimism.
Anyway, on to Previews:
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[CBSSports.com] Yankees-Diamondbacks Preview - Ah, interleague play, where we get to hear about how not having the DH is such a huge disadvantage for AL teams. Why doesn't every team pay a guy $7 million for four at-bats a game?
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[seattlepi.com] AL East-leading Yankees pay a visit to Chase Field - One team has fought their way to the top of their division, and one team is being told to stop digging, they might hit a gas line.
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[mlb.com] New York Yankees at Arizona Diamondbacks - Both Rodrigo Lopez and A.J. Burnett are looking to recover from bad starts recently. But Burnett's advantage is that he gets to try to recover against the Diamondbacks.
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[azcentral.com] Diamondbacks starting 3-game series against Yankees, fans - Like the Cubs, playing the Yankees means that people will buy tickets, but many of those people will be loud, annoying, and not necessarily know much about the sport.
Looking for more optimism? Well, okay, you'll find a little bit, after the jump.
Around the Organization:
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[allheadlinenews.com] Arizona Outfielder Upton Confident D-Backs Can Make Turnaround - See? Optimism. I mean, the team does have talent, and there's no reason they should be this bad.
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[oregonlive.com] Arizona Diamondbacks recall outfielder Cole Gillespie, to report Monday - With Gillespie recovered from his flu, we'll see Ryan Roberts sent back down to Reno.
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[fanhouse.com] MLB Power Rankings: Brave New World - Fanhouse places the DBacks at #27 in baseball right now. Well, uh, at least we aren't Orioles fans?
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[espn.com] All-2014 fantasy team features Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer, New York Yankees' Robinson Cano, Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton and Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg - Not surprised to see Upton there, but the other current DBacks mention has Mark Reynolds at DH. If Mark's defense continues to improve, I think he's going to be more valuable as a third baseman.
Around Baseball:
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[espn.com] Will MLB survive three days in K.C.? - Look, Bostonians, it's bad when ESPN thinks you're being pompous and arrogant.
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[fangraphs.com] Statues in the Outfield - FanGraphs takes a look at the Dodgers outfielders, and isn't impressed. The word they use is atrocious.
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[azstarnet.com] Rushford to split time with Toros, mine - Baseball is only a full time career for a very, very small minority of players. For most guys, like Jim Rushford, they'll need something else to help pay the bills.
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[mlb.com] Year of the Pitcher, especially in NL West - "Four NL West teams rank in the top six in the Major Leagues in shutouts." Guess which one isn't...
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[yahoo.com] The historic signing of Willie Mays revealed - Amid much intrigue, 17-year-old Willie Mays of the Birmingham Barons was signed by the Giants 60 years ago today.
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[foxsportsarizona.com] Clemson upends top-seeded Sun Devils - And, a late breaking story, ASU loses their first round College World Series game. They'll face South Carolina in an elimination game tomorrow.
And, finally: Your Daily Strasburg:
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[howtowatchsports.com] Stephen Strasburg and the Rookie Wall: A Cautionary Tale - What? Rational consideration of the future? A refusal to award the Cy Young to Strasburg immediately after (or before) his first pitch in the majors? What madness is this?
And there you have your links for the day. Feel free to use the comments to set up your betting pools for the reveal of the first two DBacks Legends racers tonight. Go Dbacks!