Brandon Webb
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Top 5: Reasons To Be Happy About The Diamondbacks
Diamondbacks Nation has been feeling a bit frustrated about the start to the season for the Snakes.
Perhaps our expectations were too high. Our sense is that this team is capable of much more than they have consistently shown so far. But we have not lost faith.
Rather, we think the team is capable to achieve great things in 2009. We only want to see the Diamondbacks play to the true level of their abilities.
There are plenty of reasons to be happy about the Arizona Diamondbacks. Here are our Top 5 --
1. The Rotation Is Strong. The win-loss record does not show it, but the Snakes' starting pitchers have been incredible in 2009. Through thirteen games, Arizona’s rotation has made five quality starts (defined as at least six innings pitched with three runs or fewer allowed). But even when they've not met the QS-standard, the starters have kept the team in games.
Only twice in the first thirteen have the Diamondbacks starters really taken it on the chin. Those games featured...
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Series Preview: Diamondbacks v. Rockies
* PREVIEW: ARI v. COL - We remember when last the Arizona Diamondbacks (4-8) met the Colorado Rockies (4-7). The season was young and full of possibility. Brandon Webb was anchoring the pitching staff. The Diamondbacks were ready to embark on a three-series home-stand, part of an April schedule featuring eighteen games at home and only four on the road.
Surely the Diamondbacks would build an insurmountable lead and cruise to an NL West title!
Can it really have been two weeks ago? How time flies when you're having "fun."
Arizona has had little fun -- nor much offense -- since winning a 9-8 shootout with the Rockies on Opening Day. We don't mean to overreact to a crummy fortnight, but the Diamondbacks' futility at the plate and general discombobulation has spoiled the golden opportunity presented by their early season schedule.
Rather than dwell upon who’s to blame for the stumbling start, we’ll gather ourselves and break down Arizona’s second shot at their division from...
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Melvin’s Pink Slip is Showing
Press, press, press. For two weeks now, the Diamondbacks have pressed. And for a long time before that, if we want to be honest.
Spring Training was Pressure Fest ’09. We shouldn't care about wins and losses in the Cactus League, but we couldn't help notice the way the Snakes were losing. Arizona had Mark Reynolds booting balls, Justin Upton striking out, Brandon Webb and Max Scherzer and the bullpen all not right.
That followed an off-season in which nothing went to script, from Randy Johnson’s departure to San Francisco, to Orlando Hudson’s defection to Los Angeles, to the degradation of the infield defense, to the egg-on-our-faces discovery of money for Jon Garland when Johnson and Hudson were allowed to walk to division rivals.
We understand that an arbitration offer to Adam Dunn could have been a disaster. Were he to accept, he might have commanded a salary in the eight-figure range. The team already has four starting OF and only one 1B job for Chad Tracy, Tony Clark and...
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Diamondbacks Notes: April 13, 2009
* WEBB TO DL - Althought no structural damage was found in his MRI results, Brandon Webb is still feeling some stiffness in his throwing shoulder. The malady has been described as bursitis, which involves a build-up of fluid that impairs the sufferer's range of motion. So rather than have him push through the injury, Arizona elected to place Webb on the disabled list retroactive to April 7, the day after his last start. That makes web eligible to return on April 22.
The team and the player are cautiously optimistic. Injury guru Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus also seems none too worried by the development. While we appreciate the wisdom in prioritizing Webb's long-term health over the desire to have him return immediately, Diamondbacks Nation cannot help but worry about Arizona's best and most important player. Get well soon, Webby.
* MORE SAD NEWS - Still reeling from the death last week of Nick Adenhart, baseball lost two more high-profile figures today.
Long-time...
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Diamondbacks Notes: April 11, 2009
* WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES - There were dark clouds gathering around Chase Field yesterday. The Diamondbacks were in the NL West cellar, their bats and bullpen were scuffling, their ace was scratched from a Saturday night start due to shoulder soreness, leaving the club to face Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers without its biggest weapon. It remains a bit overcast in Phoenix this Saturday, but on account of some recent developments, the Snakes are feeling sunny. Read on, Diamondbacks Nation.
* GAME 1 GOES TO THE GOOD GUYS - The warm glow started with Friday night's 9-4 win in Game 1 of the Dodgers' series. In a match-up we identified as key, Jon Garland (7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) easily out-pitched the Los Angeles starter, James McDonald (2.1 IP, 2 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K). Garland enjoyed a comfortable margin for most of the game, thanks to a five-run third inning that included big hits from Chris B. Young (3/3, 3 R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB) and Conor Jackson (2/5, 3 RBI,...
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