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No line-up yet - writing this one early, as I'll preparing for the arriving hordes at SnakePitTowersFest - lighting the chandeliers, filling the moat, and ensuring the pack of SnakePit panthers are well-fed. It's already a winning homestand for Arizona, but a victory this afternoon would make it 5-2 rather than 4-3, and the former looks a lot better. It would, of course, also guarantee us another day in first place, regardless of what happens by the bay, where we'll be rooting for the Rockies to take down the Giants again. With Kennedy on the mound, I'm optimistic that will be the case.
- Willie Bloomquist LF
- Kelly Johnson 2B
- Justin Upton RF
- Stephen Drew SS
- Chris Young CF
- Miguel Montero C
- Juan Miranda 1B
- Melvin Mora 3B
- Ian Kennedy RHP
Kennedy faced the Nationals twice in August last year, and did better the second time. On the fourth, he had lasted four, being tagged for eight hits, two of them leaving the park. But ten days later, he beat them in Washington, allowing two runs over seven innings. Marquis was his opponent in that contest and was tagged quite handily by the Diamondbacks: seven hits, including three homers, and two walks in four frames, leading to five runs. If there's any logic, Xavier Nady won't be in the line-up, as he is 3-for-19 with a .516 OPS against Marquis. At the other end, Miguel Montero is 3-for-10 with two homers, and Chris Young has three HR in 19 ABs.
Almost simultaneous starts in San Francisco and Arizona this afternoon, so expect the scoreboard watching to be intense in both places. Most important is for the Diamondbacks to take care of their own business. For as long as they keep winning, they needn't worry about anyone else. That said, a bit of daylight between us and the Giants would be very welcome.