Preview, #23: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres

It's easy to forget that Cahill did not always suck as a D-back. His first two years here were okay: in 2012-13, he went 21-22 over 57 starts (and one relief appearance), with an ERA of 3.87. That would have made him the best pitcher on the 2016 D-backs, a full half-run better than Zack Greinke. It was 2013 which left us with such a poor impression of Trevor. He was lifted from the rotation as early as April 14, after four starts where his ERA was an ugly 9.17. He was designated for assignment in June, sent down to the minors, and ended up dumped off to the Braves just before Opening Day the following year, with AZ paying more than half his $12 million salary.

So, it's understandable that fans here don't have great memories of him. But he did have a very decent season and a half as a reliever for the Cubs, putting up a 2.61 ERA for them. He signed with San Diego, because they were willing to let him go back to being a starter. The results so far have been okay - he lost his first two decisions, without getting through six frames in either but pitched much better last time out, against the Marlins at home, holding them to one run over seven innings. But I'm hoping that was a Petco effect, and he reverts to his road form tonight, giving us a third straight win.

It won't actually be Cahill's first start against the Diamondbacks. That came all the way back in May 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum, when he lost to Billy Buckner. Damn. Meanwhile, this also marks the debut of Zack Godley, another pitcher who appears nearer the Bartolo Colon model of svelteness, shall we say. His last start didn't exactly go well, lasting just two innings as the Reds swatted him about for nine runs. Think he'll probably find the Padres' lineup a little easier to handle, fingers crossed...