Preview, #52: 5/25 @ Giants

That was a thoroughly refreshing game last night, the D-backs not just winning but engaging in some shameless padding of their run differential. Of course, like we always say after blowout losses, it still only counts as one in the standings. But after all the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth about our offense in the past week, this was close to the perfect remedy. Though spare a thought for poor Greg Holland, who has not saved a game in more than three weeks, his last such being on May 3. He hasn’t even had an opportunity since May 8, the game in Tampa where he blew the lead but we won 3-2. The following day, May 9, was the last time the D-backs won a game by fewer than six runs...

Our thoughts, meanwhile, are with Rockkstarr12 in this difficult time. For the roster move to accommodate this afternoon’s starter was the designation for assignment of catcher John Ryan Murphy. He had batted .171, with an OPS+ of just 71, pretty much in line with his career norms. But he had caught all but one of Zack Greinke’s innings this season, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens going forward. It may well be that Murphy makes it through waivers, and ends up assigned to Reno. At the major-league level, the team will now presumably use Carson Kelly and Alex Avila as their two catchers, and are operating with an eight-man bullpen, since Zack Godley is being hidden away in there.

The Giants’ bullpen is going to be wheezing, having worked seven innings on Thursday and another 6.1 last night. Admittedly, they only used three relievers yesterday, but having thrown 33, 57 and 59 pitches respectively, they’re probably all going to be unavailable this afternoon, which limits the flexibility they’ll have. They did make a roster move, but not to shuffle a bullpen arm, interestingly. They have added outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, who is the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, and will be making his major-league debut whenever he takes the field. Meanwhile, for Arizona, Kevin Cron gets his first start, after striking out as a pinch-hitter in last night’s fiesta.