All series talk goes in here. Non series talk goes somewhere else. No PBP, that can be found from other sources if you need it. All games are broadcast on AT&T Sports SW unless otherwise noted. 4-12 Luis Garcia (R) vs. Madison Bumgarner (L) 8:40 4-13 Framber Valdez (L) vs. Merrill Kelly (R) 2:40 MLBN (out-of-market only)
Baseball is what it is, but we really should win both of these games. Arizona may be the worst club in baseball. we're missing their one good pitcher, and the series is bookended by days off so NOBODY should be resting this series.
It will be nice to see him and I hope we give him lots of video of what not to do for his new students. That said, he may very well know dtrengths/weaknesses of Astro hitters from all his time watching his pitchers throw BP and simulated games. He is more likely to have an impact that way than with his old protégés.
But I suspect more players than usual or necessary will get time off. But this is a series I don't mind messing with the line-up as much since it is neither a Division or League opponent, the first two parts of tie-breakers for post season. All wins and losses count, but tagging a division or league opponent with a loss serves a secondary purpose that an inter-league opponent does not.
I would still bet somebody rests… and I don’t think any of this is coming directly from Dusty. Hopefully Stromm doesn’t spill some trade secrets on Garcia or Valdez…
It will be interesting to see if Dusty uses McCormick consistently when Framber pitches like he used Alvarez last season. I'm actually surprised Alvarez is still playing in the field now that DH is universal. But he's showing scary range and athleticism. We don't want another Meyers play from him.
I was thinking he'd know more about pitch shapes/sequencing/tendencies from the pitchers and might be able to pass along any tells to the D-Backs.
Don't underestimate the day game after a night game...Bregs, Altuve, Uncle Mike, and Yordan will all sit at least one if these 2 games. Which means Niko probably plays both.
Is Arizona still on the schedule as a "protected interleague rival" or whatever they call it? Would have been nice if one of the old NL Central teams were the protected rival, like the Cardinals or Cubs.
Yes the D-BAcks are our designated rivalry this season(Rockies are it during odd years). They don;t use NL Central teams because they have to line up West to West. If they go to the more balanced schedule next year like is being discussed this won't matter going forward. I like the idea of a more balanced schedule and seeing more NL teams over the course of a season. With universal DH it makes sense to move in that direction.
Thank God (or your preferred deity, nothing, etc.) for requiring pitchers to face 3 batters or pitch to end of inning. 2 teams with rested bullpen bracketed by off days spells a ton of pitching changes this series. Heck, would likely see Odorizzi tomorrow if JV wasn't coming of Tommy John.