SnakeBytes 4/11: Gadsden Edition

Hey, St. Louis. The Cardinals are one of those franchises that I just don't have much sentiment towards, which is pretty weird given their long history. I mean, sure, they're a little annoying at times. But any team that Cubs fans spend so much time hating? They can't be all bad.

Series Previews:

• [Miami Herald] St. Louis Cardinals (3-6) at Arizona Diamondbacks (4-4) - Barry Enright makes his second start against the Cardinals. Do you remember when he faced them last year? I hope so- it was his first career start, and the Captain held them to four hits on five innings for his first win.

• [DBacks.com] Chase Field a daunting task for McClellan - McClellan holds a less-than-impressive 11.25 ERA In Chase Field. I'm fine if he wants to keep up that trend.

• [FSN Arizona] Today on FOX Sports Arizona: D-backs vs. Cardinals - Man, Pujols is batting .143? Look, Cardinals, if you need a first baseman, we'll trade you Xavier Nady. Heck, he can fill in for Matt Holliday, too! We'll probably want to some cash to sweeten the deal, though.

• [SB Nation St. Louis] St. Louis Cardinals Take On Arizona Diamondbacks In Three-Game Series - "If you're looking for a key to this series from a Cardinals standpoint, the answer is simple: When will Albert Pujols become Albert Pujols? For the Diamondbacks—well, I suppose the key is to keep Albert Pujols from becoming Albert Pujols." Man, that'll be one devastated fanbase if the Cardinals can't resign Albert next year...

• [FSN Arizona] Diamondbacks' energy back this season - This is the one thing I hope we can keep seeing through the year. I'm not expecting a playoff spot, I'm not expecting a winning season. But I will enjoy the next 150-some games a lot more if the team is giving their all.

• [DBacks Venom] Jarrod Parker Struggles with Command in AA Debut - Jarrod Parker's first start after Tommy John surgery, and he had good velocity and movement, but had some control problems- an ugly line, including hitting two consecutive batters, one with the bases loaded. Well, it's early.

• [Fox Sports] Beware early season fool's gold - Ken Rosenthal takes a look at teams who are off to a hot start and considers if they're real contenders or just pretenders. it's a sign of how he looks at the DBacks roster that he considers a 4-4 record to be a hot start, so don't be too surprised when he gives his evaluation of our chances...

• [AZ Central] Arizona Diamondbacks look to stay aggressive - Some more talk about being aggressive on the bases, and some praise of Chris Young's awesome catch in the top of the ninth yesterday. At the start of the inning, I turned to mrssoco and said "I don't know if I can take it if we lose this game," and it CY's fantastic catch in the outfield was the moment I started to breath again and think we might get out of there with a win.

• [SBN Arizona] The Fight Of The Arizona Diamondbacks: Why Grit Actually Matters In 2011 - SB Nation Arizona - "When manager Kirk Gibson has this team performing to the level he desires, the Diamondbacks will be a team that is enjoyable to watch on a consistent basis." Oh, lord, after the past two seasons, that's all I can ask for.

Around Baseball:

• [Subway Squawkers] Mets Bullpen Falters with Arizona Discards - Whaa? Stocking your team with players who were discarded from one of the worst bullpens in history can lead to problems? Who would have guessed?

• [Hardball Times] The rise of retired numbers - Obviously, we're seeing more numbers be retired, more quickly, and for more flimsy reasons. Yes, I'm looking at you, Tampa Bay.

• [Yahoo! Sports] Somehow, pitcher throws no hitter but still loses game - Forget no-hitter. Struck out twenty batters, no walks, and no hits. Unless there's an error that wasn't mentioned, this was a perfect game. Except for a stupid, stupid rule that gives free base-runners in late tie games...

• [NESN.com] Jose Canseco Hired as Player-Manager for Yuma Scorpions, While Brother Ozzie Will Play and Be Hitting Coach - I just hope that the umpires will be keen to watch for the switcheroo play in the late innings. "Ah, the ol' hidden Canseco play..."

• [Miami New Times] Bobby Kent Claims He Invented "Da Da Da Da Da Da Charge!" And Wants to Cash In - Man, $10k or $20k per team would certainly add up. But if he copyrighted it in 1981, why wait until now to sue?

Go DBacks!