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Diamondbacks line-up
- A.J. Pollock, CF
- Aaron Hill, 2B
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Martin Prado, 3B
- Mark Trumbo, LF
- Miguel Montero, C
- Matt Tuiasosopo, DH
- Cliff Pennington, SS
- Gerardo Parra, RF
+ Brandon McCarthy, P
To get the MLB Network confusion out of the way, the original press release of their broadcast schedule shows the game on tonight at 7pm Arizona time. However, their online schedule also shows a 2pm program: "Arizona Diamondbacks Split Squad at Los Angeles Angels." Which I think would probably come as a surprise to everyone concerned, not least the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels.
Moving on to this afternoon's game, it will, of course, be a gentle warmup for the starters involved: I wouldn't expect McCarthy to go much beyond three innings. Beyond him? There'll be some right-handed relievers. Probably a left-handed reliever or two. But, to be honest, it doesn't matter. It's the Diamondbacks playing baseball again. Never mind Opening Day being a national holiday, I think Opening Day of Spring Training needs to be a state holiday. Get on that ASAP, will you, Gov. Brewer. It's not like you've got anything else to think about right now, have you?
Not far off a full-strength line-up for us - at least to start with, since I imagine that few of the names above will still be present after about the fifth inning. Depending on Cody Ross's recovery, the only likely change could be Chris Owings or Didi Gregorius playing short, and of course the lack of a DH. Interesting, in particular, to note Martin Prado is the one "protecting" Paul Goldschmidt today, not Mark Trumbo...
I'll be back with a wrap-up after the contest finishes, and will be frantically refreshing Gameday throughout this contest [Just bear in mind that Gameday tends to be in spring training mode early too: do not be surprised to see four-pitch walks, three-pitch K's, and one-pitch other PAs]. Wonder if there'll be a brawl?