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I still can't quite come to grips with the concept of playing meaningful baseball in late September. The last couple of years, we've been playing Tankapalooza and counting down the number of games until the merciful end of the season. This time, however, we find ourselves possibly within 36 hours of clinching the division title, although that would take some help from the Dodgers. The D-backs role in that scenario is limited to winning this afternoon's game against the Pirates, as their next game is not until Friday night. However, regardless of results elsewhere, victory today would mean that beating San Francisco just once would clinch the NL West.
- Willie Bloomquist ss .266
- Aaron Hill 2b .298
- Justin Upton rf .292
- Miguel Montero c .281
- Chris Young cf .233
- Lyle Overbay 1b .231
- Ryan Roberts 3b .249
- Gerardo Parra lf .296
- Wade Miley p .083
Miley continues to struggle with control. Ten in his last three starts and 18 IP, which is the same as his number of strikeouts. However, he still has had a 4.50 ERA, and held the Padres to two runs in six innings at Petco in his last outing. Hopefully, he can reproduce this at Chase. Former D-backs prospect Ohlendorf has got past five innings only once in his previous six appearances, but that was last time out, when he allowed two runs in seven at Dodger Stadium. He hasn't thrown even 90 pitches since returning to the rotation, but with an off-day tomorrow, the Pirates won't mind using their bullpen.
Be nice to not need to scoreboard watch during this one, since the Giants don't play until tonight. However, I'm sure we'll be making up for lost time on that tonight...