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Random factoid about Arroyo. He's the only active starting pitcher who had his first at-bat in the majors before his first pitch. He debuted for the Pirates as a pinch-hitter on June 12, 2000, one day before his first start. Not quite sure why, as it was in the sixth inning, and he was leading off, so it wasn't a case of being asked to bunt someone over. He was a very good hitting pitcher in the minors - averaged .266 through the end of that year down there - but was he really the best option off the Pirates' bench? He certainly hasn't reproduced that in the majors, batting .132, in getting on for 11 years.
- Willie Bloomquist LF
- Kelly Johnson 2B
- Justin Upton RF
- Russell Branyan 1B
- Chris Young CF
- Stephen Drew SS
- Ryan Roberts 3B
- Miguel Montero C
- Ian Kennedy P
Barely-disguised sarcasm from Nick Piecoro on the line-up: "At least Dbacks are wisely negating Montero's defensive shortcomings by getting him as many ABs as possible by ... wait. No. He's 8th again." Though he does also provide Cap'n Kirk's explanation for the move. Not sure I would agree with the logic - as Piecoro points out, the difference between 4th and 8th is probably 60 PAs or so less per year - but at least there is some there.
Both starters won their previous games against their opponents, when the teams met at Chase to open the season in Arizona. Kennedy threw eight innings of one-run ball, striking out nine in a very impressive performance, but Arroyo allowed only an unearned run over six innings the following day. He has won his last three starts against us, but if Kennedy can reproduce the brilliance he showed the first time, it could go either way. Be nice for the team to win on consecutive days for the first time this season, and get back to .500. I also noticed in the standings this morning that we're up to third in the West. Woo-hoo!