Series Preview: Diamondbacks @ Athletics

Aside from the abomination that is the Designated Hitter rule, we kinda dig interleague play. It's fun to see teams match up against opponents they rarely play. And you get to watch all those exotic players you've only read about in the boxscores.

Well, except when you have the Arizona Diamondbacks (17-24) against the Oakland Athletics (15-23). Given the number of former Snakes on the A's roster, we may as well refer to the Oakland franchise as Diamondbacks West.

The Dan Haren trade infused the Athletics with erstwhile Arizona farmhands including Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland and Aaron Cunningham. Current A's Jack Cust, Edgar Gonzalez and Russ Springer have also spent time on the Diamondbacks' roster. Mix in Arizona State University product Travis Buck and longtime NL West rival Matt Holliday and the D-Backs/A's series feels like a reunion.

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Arizona's offense has enjoyed a rebirth since we declared the 2009 season DOA a week ago. In the first six games of their coast-to-coast...

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Series Preview: Diamondbacks @ Braves

Let's be honest: the Diamondbacks (13-22) are indisputably among the worst teams in baseball. Not the least talented on the field. Not the most rudderless in the front office. But with the exception of a handful of players, the team has performed atrociously. Their record does not lie. They're just bad.

We, the die-hard fans of Diamondbacks Nation, have predicted on several occasions that change for the better was coming. Each time we raised our hopes, the Snakes' play has left us bitterly disappointed. The latest opportunity for salvation -- the nearly simultaneous suspension of Manny Ramirez and replacement of Bob Melvin with AJ Hinch -- was followed by a 1-5 home stand against the Nationals and Reds.

Arizona has now set off on a road-trip of ten games and more than 7,000 miles, a distance that affords us the opportunity to adopt a new perspective. No longer should we view the Diamondbacks as a should-be contender that pains its fans with each inexplicable loss. Rather, let's...

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Series Preview: Diamondbacks v. Nationals

* PREVIEW: ARI v. WAS - Bob Melvin's tenure as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks (12-17) has finally ended. After yesterday's extra-innings loss in San Diego, word came that Melvin would be relieved of his duties. Late last night, it was confirmed that hitting coach Rick Schu and pitching coach Bob Price would follow Melvin out the door.

Melvin's replacement is AJ Hinch, formerly the Diamondbacks' director of player development. At 34-years old and without managerial experience, Hinch faces a massive challenge: to turn around a club that has failed woefully to meet the expectations established by its 2007 NL West title.

Arizona's is the second worst scoring offense (105 runs) in Major League Baseball and ranks among the bottom three in batting average (.222) and OPS (.677). If Hinch knows and can convey to these hitters how they ought to approach their at-bats, then there may still be time to save the season. That's a tall order.

At least Hinch has a chance to get off to a...

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Series Preview: Diamondbacks @ Dodgers

If there's one thing the Diamondbacks (11-14) have proven they can do, it's win two games in a series. Arizona has taken a pair of games in three of its last four series. The Snakes beat the Rockies and Cubs outright and split a four-game stand at Milwaukee over the weekend.

If there's one thing the Diamondbacks really would like to do, it'd be to close the gap on the first place Dodgers (18-8). Los Angeles has won five of its previous six games, most recently including a four-game sweep of the visiting Padres.

So Monday's and Tuesday's games at Chavez Ravine offer an opportunity for Arizona. Even with a ceiling of two wins in a series, the Diamondbacks are poised to sweep a two game set against the Dodgers. How, you ask? Read on.

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Starting pitching is the soft underbelly of the Dodgers. After bona fide stud Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles is relying on some very shaky options. The Snakes get to see the worst of the Dodgers' starters tonight and tomorrow.

Lefty Eric Stults...

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Series Preview: Diamondbacks @ Brewers

The Arizona Diamondbacks (9-12) took two of three games to silence the Cubs fans who invaded Chase Field for their final home stand of April. The Snakes finish the month by embarking upon an eight-game journey that will take them through the first week of May. Stop No. 1 on the itinerary is Milwaukee, where the Brewers (11-10) will host the Diamondbacks for a four-game set. The Brew Crew are winners of their last three series, the most recent a sweep of the visiting Pirates.

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Milwaukee is a young team frothy with home-brewed talent. The organization has produced Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks, JJ Hardy, Corey Hart, everyday players between the ages of 24 and 27 and entering their primes. While the Brewers have had somewhat less success developing pitchers, any franchise would be glad to have starters Yovanni Gallardo (23) and Manny Parra (26).

But Milwaukee is also an aging team, worn like the seat of a favorite bar stool. Catcher Jason Kendall (34) and center...

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