Snakebytes 6/16: Hello From Central Oregon Edition

So for those of you that don’t know, I’m spending the month with family up in the Bend/Redmond area of Oregon. The fact that I’m about a 1k miles away and don’t have an MLB.tv package, plus I’m spending most of my time with family, means I only know what the scores are after my wife tells me.

If I were a superstitious man, based on the current trajectory of the team, I would have to stay here through October. A 4 game winning streak, and my favorite thing in the world to say.... the Dodgers lost.

Anyway, here all’s the news ya varmints.

(That’s rural Oregonian speak for “As a non-sequitur, I will presently divulge the information about which team we have mutual affection for, to my fellow man whom I consider friends”......”guhyuk”)

Diamondbacks News

Phillies set to entertain red-hot Diamondbacks - The Diamondbacks come into Friday’s opener on a different path than Philadelphia. Arizona, which was off Thursday, is riding a four-game winning streak and has won seven of its last eight after sweeping the Tigers on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory in Detroit. It is one of three National League West teams with 40 wins (Colorado, Los Angeles).

Lamb, Goldschmidt seek for national attention - Despite helping the Arizona Diamondbacks surge to the top of the National League West division, third baseman Jake Lamb and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt face a prodigious identity crisis. Sure, both are having outstanding seasons and each is worthy of All-Star consideration.

Bickley: Diamondbacks flourishing under great leadership - The team is 15 games over .500. They have nine more victories than the Cubs, the reigning World Series champions. Their sturdiness and conviction are beginning to captivate a region that hasn’t seen a playoff game in downtown Phoenix since 2011.

Archie Bradley's emergence has sparked a bullpen revival for the Diamondbacks - Archie Bradley has everything you want in a late-innings relief pitcher. Since transitioning to the bullpen to begin the season, the right-hander has flashed a powerful 98-mph fastball and displayed command of a deceptive curveball.

Give Lovullo credit for sticking with Rodney - On April 29, there probably were two people in Arizona who wanted to see Fernando Rodney in the closer’s role. He’d just blown his second consecutive save by allowing three runs on two hits and two walks, seemingly the only disappointment for the Arizona Diamondbacks in April. Despite his 12.60 ERA, he felt like he could still do the job.

Shortstop Ketel Marte having rebound year in Triple-A - The Mariners traded Marte and pitcher Taijuan Walker to the Diamondbacks this offseason for Segura, Mitch Haniger, and Zac Curtis. Marte had previously been a big part of the Mariners’ future, but a poor 2016 campaign changed the team’s plans. The .259/.287/.323 slash line over 466 plate appearances Marte posted last year was weak enough for Seattle to move on.

(Editorial: At what point do we give up on the Ahmed experiment? I love the guy and his glove, don’t get me wrong, and I understand Marte is playing in Reno. But .366/.410/.541... wouldn’t that look good in the lineup?)

The Best Base Runners in Baseball - The D-backs don’t stand out among the stolen-base league leaders: They’re fifth in steals and third in net steals (steals minus times caught stealing). Their baserunning excellence is built on the back of proverbial “didn’t show up in the box score” plays. In the era of almost-total tracking of events on the field, though, those subtle contributions are no longer lost on those who weren’t watching.

(Editor: Finally, someone else is paying attention. And I love that he uses Fangraphs to prove the point.)

D-backs wrap up draft with 17 pitchers among 41 picks - The Diamondbacks wrapped up the 2017 MLB Draft on Wednesday with 30 more selections, giving them 41 total picks for the three days.

There ya go varmints. Hope ya all liked yer digified news er whatever.