:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13287155/gyi0064165726.0.jpg)
|
|
Diamondbacks Line-up
- Gerardo Parra, RF
- Didi Gregorius, SS
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Eric Chavez, 3B
- Cody Ross, LF
- Miguel Montero, C
- Martin Prado,2B
- A.J. Pollock, CF
- Trevor Cahill, P
I can only presume Kirk Gibson is circling on the baggage carousel at Miami airport, because (with the obvious exception of the pitcher) the above is the exact same line-up as Wednesday. It is clearly the work of someone unfamiliar with the use of Gibson's line-up dice. I predict mass confusion in the visitors' locker-room as players mill around, trying to come to terms with playing the same positions in the same order Still no Jason Kubel vs. another right-handed starting pitcher, I note; seems his quad remains kinda dodgy. Still, looks like Adam Eaton is almost ready - 5-for-9 with three SB, over the last two days in Visalia - so we're covered if a DL move is needed.
After Miley's meltdown, Trevor Cahill is now in solid occupancy of the #2 spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation, as measured by ERA. He has allowed one or two runs in each of his last four starts, though the one against the Phillies was shakier than most, as he did the "five and dive", taking 96 pitches to get that far and walking four batters. The Marlins line-up isn't as good, certainly, and a nice start at sea-level should be good for Cahill. I seem to recall Brandon Webb's sinker doing well in humid conditions, though I was kinda surprised to see that his career numbers in Florida were nothing special.
We're light on experience against Slowey, the entire roster managing only 20 PAs, having gone 6-for-20 with two home-runs (one each by Chavez and Prado). He was lit-up by the Dodgers last time, allowing 11 hits in 4.2 innings, but more than respectable his previous two starts before that, with one run allowed over 15 innings against the Phillies and Mets. Overall though, a career ERA+ of 93 suggests he is over-achieving. He has been the most fly-ball heavy pitcher in the National League, and that has been the pattern his entire career. His 2013 ERA is largely because of a home-run rate this year half of Slowey's career average, so hopefully, we can knock a few out of there.