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Injuries, ejections and pile-ups at home-plate notwithstanding, we find ourselves right back where we were at the start of yesterday. By that, I mean a victory today would allow the Diamondbacks to swap spots with the Rockies and move into second-place in the division, 3.5 or less games back of the Giants, depending on their result. And I'm a bit more optimistic for this evening's contest, with our ace taking the mound, rather than someone who will be our #5, after the imminent return of Zach Duke.
Actually, it's an interesting question, whether Kennedy or Daniel Hudson should be considered the team ace [maybe someone could do an article on that?] Coming into today, they have very similar numbers:
Hudson: 10 starts, 5 W, 66.2 IP, 52 H, 25 R, 24 ER, 17 BB, 56 K, 3.24 ERA
Kennedy: 10 starts, 5 W, 66.0 IP, 66 H, 29 R, 28 ER, 18 BB, 60 K, 3.82 ERAEven on the extended stats, both men have a 3.35 xFIP. If they can keep it up, it'll be a breath of fresh air. The only time since 2004 we've had two qualifying starters with ERAs that low was 2008, with Dan Haren and Brandon Webb. However, they were 27 and 29, rather than 24 and 26: Webb and Omar Daal, back in 1998, are the only Arizona pitchers, who were as good at the age of H+K. Hmm, that's a good name for our double-barreled hurlers.
via world.guns.ru
The line-up.
- Ryan Roberts 3B
- Kelly Johnson 2B
- Justin Upton RF
- Stephen Drew SS
- Chris Young CF
- Miguel Montero C
- Xavier Nady 1B
- Gerardo Parra LF
- Ian Kennedy RHP
Still no Juan Miranda, whose wrist is still apparently deemed not quite 100%. Besides that, looks like a pretty full-strength line-up for the D-backs e.g. no Melvin Mora. The team are now 8-13 when he starts, 3-5 when he comes off the bench - and 13-6 when he doesn't appear at all.