Preview, #83: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies

Another day, another losing streak stopped at three games. That's the fifth occasion the Diamondbacks have lost three in a row, and they are 5-0 in the games which followed it. Figured it might be worth a look at all of last year's playoff teams, and so what was their worst losing streak of the season:

• 7: Nationals (Saturday, Jun 18 to Saturday, Jun 25)
• 6: Dodgers (Monday, Apr 25 to Saturday, Apr 30)
  Giants: Friday, Jul 15 to Friday, Jul 22
• 5: Orioles (two occasions)
  Cubs (Tuesday, Jul 5 to Saturday, Jul 9)
  Blue Jays (Saturday, May 14 to Wednesday, May 18)
• 4: Mets (five occasions)
  Rangers (three occasions)
  Red Sox: Monday, Jul 25 to Thursday, Jul 28
• 3: Indians (seven occasions)

So, the majority of teams that reached the playoffs last year lost at least five in a row at some point. If we don't have a losing streak longer than three games over the remaining eighty, the Diamondbacks will be VERY much the exception. Bear that in mind when it happens. Do not make me bring out this post again.

Herrmann and Owings will be manning the corner outfield this afternoon. Seems a bit odd to give Peralta the afternoon off against a right-handed starter, especially since we will likely be facing two southpaws in the Dodgers series (it's still officially "to be announced"). But I've learned not to question the wisdom that is Torey Lovullo and his line-up construction. It seems to have served us well so far. I also note that, right now, the NL West trio plus the Nationals and Brewers are the only National League teams at or above .500. The D-backs are a full ten games up on the first non-wild card team, the Cubs. So if we play .500 baseball, they'd need to go 51-30 to match us.

All-Star Game announcement begins this afternoon, with the show starting on ESPN at 4pm Arizona time, so this one should be over just about in time. We'll have a post to discuss the roster - and any apparent Diamondbacks snubs! -, as soon as they come out.