SnakeBytes 8/1: Big Series Edition

A series win on the road is always a good sign, and it's especially nice to do it against a division rival.

Recaps:

• [DBacks.com] Parra's blasts pulls D-backs closer to first place - Gibson on Joe Saunders: "He was in total command. It was what the team needed."

• [FS Arizona] Saunders, D-backs finish off Dodgers - Saunders finished off a strong July- a 4-1 record and a 2.16 ERA.

• [LA Times] Dodgers lack energy in 6-3 loss to Arizona - At 3 hours and 36 minutes, it was a pretty long game, and it must have seemed even longer from the Dodgers dugout.

• [SB Nation Arizona] Diamondbacks Win 6-3 Against Dodgers, Pull Within Two Games Of Giants In NL West - With RBIs from Gerardo Parra, Ryan Roberts, Collin Cowgill and Xavier Nady, it was nice to see some help from someone other than the usual suspects.

And now, hopefully with some momentum, we head into San Francisco. This isn't quite a make-or-break series, but it's definitely an important one.

• [DBacks.com] D-backs and Giants set to collide a in battle for first place in the NL West - Big series, and we'll have to fight our way through a strong Giants rotation. But if we can get past their pitchers...

• [FS Arizona] Today on FOX Sports Arizona: D-backs at Giants, 7:15 p.m. - Giants have held first place since they passed us on June 25th, but a sweep by the Reds means they're only two games up.

• [AZ Central] Diamondbacks have a shot at overtaking the Giants - We'll see the latest permutation of our team on the field this week, with Jason marqui, Brad Ziegler, and (we assume?) Paul Goldschmidt making their debuts in a DBacks uniform.

• [LA Times] Your move: Bolstered Diamondbacks, Giants open key series - Ian Kennedy has a 1.81 ERA against the Giants in seven starts. If he can keep that up, it'll be a good start to the series.

DBacks News:

• [Visalia Times-Delta] Bauer impresses in pro debut - Secret weapon? I don't think there's much secret about Trevor Bauer's pitching. But could he be the late season bullpen help we need?

• [DBacks Venom] By Acquiring Jason Marquis, the Diamondbacks Indirectly Improve Their Bullpen - This is what I like about the Marquis signing.

• [AZ Central] Diamondbacks still seek production from first base - When was the last time we had a strong, consistent bat at first? Here's hoping Paul Goldschmidt can give us the production we need.

• [Venom Strikes] Dbacks Have a No Loss No Gain July - We end the month two games out, just like we started it. August likely won't be easy, though.

• [FanGraphs] Deadline Recap: The "Should Have Done Mores" - Fangraphs thinks the Diamondbacks were focused on the wrong position this trade deadline, and we should have brought in a shortstop instead of more pitching. Personally, I'd disagree that we didn't need help in the starting rotation.

Around Baseball:

• [Baseball Nation] Did Clint Hurdle Blow Three Games Last Week? - A manager's influence on the game is most obvious in his bullpen management- did Clint Hurdle really hurt his team last week?

• [SI.com] Ubaldo Jimenez trade makes no sense for Cleveland Indians - The Indians definitely look to be in "win now" mode, with the moves they made at the deadline. I'm kind of glad we aren't in that mode.

• [ESPN] Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein deals for Erik Bedard, has concern for Clay Buchholz - Erik Bedard? Really? That's your big move?

• [Sporting News] Baseball has written rules but is attached to its unwritten ones - Another bunt in another no-hit bid, and we hear all about it again...

Important series this week, folks. Let's give it our best.