D-backs Preview #112: 8/7 @ Padres

Yes, as the above should make clear, today’s game is being nationally broadcast and so can be found on Fox Sports 1. This is you being told. If anyone whines in the Gameday Thread about “Where’s the game, it’s not on Bally Sports Arizona,” they can expect an up-close and personal visit from the SnakePit Ban Hammer. You’re either trolling, or that’s what you get for not reading the previews, folks. And if you are reading this, why, thank you! Anyway, it feels as if the team always gets crushed when the whole country gets to see them play. I don’t know if there’s any actual statistical backing to that sentiment, or if we only remember the beat-downs.

A win would get the team back to .500 over their first twenty games in the second half. That would be no small feat considering the D-backs were 26-66 at the break. Since then, they actually have the same record (9-10) as the Dodgers and Rockies, and almost the same as the Padres (9-9). But as I mentioned yesterday, it’s been a period of parity. Everyone in the National League has between seven and thirteen wins in the second half. Not quite the same in the AL, where the spread is four (Rangers) to fourteen (Yankees). Though the latter have picked up just one game on the Rays and Blue Jays over that time.

Torey Lovullo notes

• Josh Rojas played 7 innings (4 PA, 0-3 with a sac fly) He played SS, taking 6 chances, no errors, and turned two double plays. He feels good and will DH tonight. The plan is to have him play 3 days in a row and then evaluate. It’s possible he could return in San Francisco on Tuesday . Torey made it sound like he should be back soon.
• I asked Torey about the fact that most of the IL guys have only had a few games of rehab and seem to struggle with timing when they come back, and whether they might do better getting 6 or 7 games instead of just 3.

We’ve been having those exact conversations throughout the course of certain player’s return. We’re not sure what the sweet spot is. We want to obviously get guys back as soon as possible. They’re very eager to get back. I trust the medical team on that. But we’re always searching for new ideas, better ideas, that will allow our athletes to walk into this arena and be very competitive. Yeah, so those are conversations that we’re having , we’ll perfect it. There’s no rule book that tells you exactly what needs to happen and what will give guys immediate success on returning from injury.

• Ketel Marte is having a scheduled day off. The medical team is still running point on determining his playing time. There are no injury issues however and he will be in the lineup tomorrow and is available off the bench tonight.
• Seth Frankoff went 4 2/3 throwing 81 pitches for Reno last night. He gave up 5 runs on 5 hits, including 3 homers, walked 4 and struck out 3. At least he’s stretched out for the most part and pitched on the same night as Caleb Smith.
• It’s still not been determined whether Smith will stay in the rotation, but it’s sounding more and more like they are exploring other options, both on and off the current roster. Besides Frankoff, who lines up, they could also opt to go with Matt Peacock if they can stay away from using him the next 4 days. He would not be fully stretched out however.
• Luke Weaver is throwing tomorrow in the ACL, (It was previously was reported it would be next week)

Torey Lovullo audio [or link]