True Blue LA - July 8: Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 1Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2013-07-08T21:47:53-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/42669072013-07-08T21:47:53-07:002013-07-08T21:47:53-07:00Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 1: Greinke does it all
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Greinke lasted seven innings for the fifth time in his last seven starts and had three hits at the plate. Greinke won his fourth straight start.</p> <p>In the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>' most important series of the season to date, <span>Zack Greinke</span> stepped up and delivered a game in the opener. Greinke pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out seven, leading the Dodgers to a 6-1 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> Monday night at Chase Field in Phoenix.</p>
<p>It was the second win in a row for the Dodgers and their 13th victory in the last 16 games. Against the National League West, the Dodgers have won 10 of their last 12 games, and are now 3½ games behind Arizona in the division.</p>
<p>Greinke allowed just two hits and two walks on the night, but what made his night even more remarkable were Greinke's three hits at the plate. Greinke was 3-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt, and on the season is hitting .370/.452/.407 on the season.</p>
<p>The last two Dodger pitchers to collect at least three hits at the plate while allowing no runs on the mound were Kevin Brown, on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200204070.shtml">Apr. 7, 2002 against the Rockies</a>; and Fernando Valenzuela, on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN198104270.shtml">Apr. 27, 1981 against the Giants</a>. Valenzuela pitched a shutout, his fifth consecutive complete game and fourth shutout in his fifth career start, while Brown, like Greinke, pitched seven scoreless.</p>
<p>Counting the postseason, Orel Hershiser pitched a three-hit shutout in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN198810160.shtml">Game 2 of the 1988 World Series</a> against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a>, while also collecting three hits at the plate as well.</p>
<p>Greinke on the season even has a higher on-base percentage than <span>Yasiel Puig</span>, who was 2-for-5 with a run scored for his 17th multi-hit game in 33 major league games. Puig is now hitting .409/.436/.667 on the season, numbers that amazingly look small compared to the white-hot <span>Hanley Ramirez</span>.</p>
<p>Ramirez went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI on Monday to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 19 games. Ramirez is 36-for-74 (.486) during his hitting streak and on the season in 33 games is hitting .419/.456/.743.</p>
<p><span>Andre Ethier</span> also had three hits, including a double, and quietly has a seven-game hitting streak of his own, all during the current road trip. Ethier during the streak is hitting .429 (12-for-26), and since Puig's arrival on June 3 is hitting .315/.377/.423 in 32 games.</p>
<p><span>Juan Uribe</span>, who drove in 11 runs last week, was 2-for-5 with an RBI on Monday in Phoenix. Against the National League West this season Uribe is hitting .290/.345/.505 with five home runs and 23 RBI in 36 games, including 29 starts. Against everyone else, Uribe is hitting .246/.346/.304 with no home runs and five RBI in 30 games, including 18 starts.</p>
<h3>Notes</h3>
<ul>
<li> <span>Paco Rodriguez</span> pitched a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts, his 15th consecutive scoreless appearance. During that span Rodriguez has allowed six hits and two walks in 11⅓ innings, with 15 strikeouts.</li>
<li> <span>A.J. Ellis</span> drove in two runs, his fourth consecutive game with at least one RBI. </li>
<li>With 17 hits, the Dodgers matched their season high, matching their output Wednesday in Colorado, also on the current road trip.</li>
<li>The Dodgers had 16 singles in a game for the first time <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN201109180.shtml">since Sept. 18, 2011 against the Pirates</a>.</li>
<li> <span>Carl Crawford</span> was 0-for-5 with three strikeouts and in four games since returning from the disabled list is 0-for-16 with seven strikeouts and a walk.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Up next</h3>
<p>The Dodgers welcome <span>Ricky Nolasco</span> to the team on Tuesday as No. 47 makes his debut with the team he grew up rooting for. Nolasco will be the 23rd pitcher for the Dodgers in 2013, two shy of the club record set in 1998, 2009 and 2012. <span>Ian Kennedy</span> gets the start for the Diamondbacks.</p>
<h3>Monday particulars</h3>
<p><b>Home runs</b>: none</p>
<p><b>WP - Zack Greinke (7-2)</b>: 7 IP, 2 hits, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>LP - <span>Randall Delgado</span> (1-3)</b>: 6 IP, 11 hits, 3 runs, 3 strikeouts</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/8/4506062/zack-greinke-dodgers-diamongbacksEric Stephen2013-07-08T17:33:26-07:002013-07-08T17:33:26-07:00Carlos Marmol to pitch for Rancho Wednesday
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<figcaption>Jason Szenes</figcaption>
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<p>Marmol last pitched for the Cubs on June 20. Wednesday will mark 20 days since the right-hander last threw from a mound.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> got their first look at their newest relief acquisition on Monday, as <span>Carlos Marmol</span> pitched a simulated game at the team facilities at Camelback Ranch in Glendale. Manager Don Mattingly and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt watched Marmol throw to hitters, long before the Dodgers were scheduled to play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> on Monday night at Chase Field, per both <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/354387769633677312">David Vassegh of KLAC 570 AM</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/354387854929047554">Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register</a>.</p>
<p>Both Plunkett and Vassegh also reported that Marmol is scheduled to pitch an inning for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, when the Quakes open a homestand with an 11:35 a.m. game against High Desert.</p>
<p>Marmol was acquired along with roughly $2.5 million plus international slot No. 92, worth $209,700 on July 2 from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> in exchange for <span>Matt Guerrier</span>. Marmol cleared outright waivers and was removed from the 40-man roster while he works on his mechanics in the minors. Marmol has been working with pitching coordinator Rafael Chaves in Arizona.</p>
<p>Marmol was 2-4 with a 5.86 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 21 games in 27⅔ innings in 31 games for Chicago this season. He was designated for assignment by the Cubs on June 25.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/8/4505564/carlos-marmol-dodgers-minor-league-rehabEric Stephen2013-07-08T17:01:19-07:002013-07-08T17:01:19-07:00Stephen Fife placed on DL, Ricky Nolasco activated
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<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
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<p>Nolasco, who last pitched for Miami on July 3, will make his Dodgers debut on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Chris Capuano will start Thursday.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> activated their newest acquisition, adding pitcher <span>Ricky Nolasco</span> to the 25-man roster prior to their game on Monday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> at Chase Field. But they lost another starter as <span>Stephen Fife</span> was placed on the disabled list with right shoulder bursitis.</p>
<p>Nolasco will start the second game of the series, on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>Nolasco was acquired on Saturday from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a> along with international slot No. 96, worth $197,000, in exchange for minor league pitchers <span>Steven Ames</span>, <span>Josh Wall</span> and Angel Sanchez.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/6/4499762/ricky-nolasco-trade-marlins-dodgers-steve-ames-josh-wall" target="new">Dodgers acquire Nolasco</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/8/4505400/matt-kemp-injury-dodgers-disabled-list-scott-van-slyke" target="new">Matt Kemp to DL too</a>
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<p>Nolasco with the Dodgers will wear No. 47, the only number he has worn in his major league career. The number was previously worn by Luis Cruz before he was designated for assignment on June 28.</p>
<p>Fife has been a pleasant surprise in the rotation this season, going 3-3 with a 2.76 ERA in eight starts. He missed 33 games earlier in the season with right shoulder bursitis, but since returning from the disabled list put up a 2.20 ERA with four quality starts to go with 30 strikeouts and 11 walks in 41 innings.</p>
<p>Fife appeared to strengthen his spot in the rotation on Sunday when manager Don Mattingly said Capuano would move to the bullpen with the addition of Nolasco. Now, Capuano will start Thursday for Fife, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/354387598187307008">per David Vassegh of KLAC 570 AM</a>.</p>
<p>The Dodgers have used the disabled list 22 times this season, with 15 different players. Fife is one of six players with at least two DL stints.</p>
<p>The earliest Fife can be activated from the DL is Monday, July 22, when the Dodgers open a series in Toronto against the Blue Jays.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/8/4505122/stephen-fife-injury-dodgers-disabled-list-ricky-nolasco-activatedEric Stephen2013-07-08T16:51:54-07:002013-07-08T16:51:54-07:00Matt Kemp hits DL, Scott Van Slyke recalled
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The earliest Kemp could be activated from the disabled list is Sunday, July 21.</p> <p><span>Matt Kemp's</span> lost season took another bad turn on Monday, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> center fielder was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder AC joint inflammation. The move is retroactive to Saturday, one day after Kemp irritated the AC joint in his left shoulder during a swing in the second inning against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> at AT&T Park in San Francisco.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More Kemp</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/5/4497838/matt-kemp-injury-dodgers-shoulder" target="new">Injures shoulder in SF</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/5/4498062/matt-kemp-injury-dodgers-shoulder-ac-joint" target="new">Likely out 'a few days'</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/8/4505236/matt-kemp-injury-dodgers-diamondbacks-starting-lineups" target="new">Out of lineup again</a>
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<p>With <span>Carl Crawford</span> activated from the disabled list on Friday after missing 30 games with a left hamstring strain, the Dodgers had a logjam in the outfield, with Crawford, Kemp, <span>Andre Ethier</span> and <span>Yasiel Puig</span> all fighting for playing time.</p>
<p>That lasted all of two innings.</p>
<p>The Dodgers activated <span>Scott Van Slyke</span> from Triple-A Albuquerque to take Kemp's place on the roster. Van Slyke was optioned to Triple-A on Friday to make room for Crawford, and since this recall is within 10 days of that, Van Slyke gets credit for major league service time and salary as if he hadn't been optioned on Friday.</p>
<p>The Dodgers have used the disabled list 22 times this season, with 15 different players. Kemp is one of six players with at least two DL stints.</p>
<p>Kemp missed 24 games with a strained right hamstring, and that was after 51 games of powerless production, sapped by offseason shoulder surgery that was more invasive than originally thought. Kemp had to repair a torn labrum and the removal of loose tendon fragments in the rotator cuff. Kemp was unable to swing a bat until late January.</p>
<p>On the season Kemp is hitting .254/.309/.357 with four home runs in 61 games. He hit two of those home runs on this road trip and was hitting .273/.333/.485 in 10 games since returning from his previous DL stint.</p>
<p>On Monday at Chase Field, Kemp took swings in batting practice but it was decided to shut him down.</p>
<p>"That was my test," Kemp said, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/dylanohernandez/status/354376813046276097">per Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times</a>.</p>
<p>It appears Kemp may not agree with the decision to go on the disabled list.</p>
<p>"I'm not playing so I guess I'm hurt," Kemp said, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/354379331608387588">per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register</a>.</p>
<p>The earliest Kemp could be activated from the disabled list is Sunday, July 21, the final day of a three-game series in Washington D.C. against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>, the Dodgers' first series coming out of the All-Star break.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/8/4505400/matt-kemp-injury-dodgers-disabled-list-scott-van-slykeEric Stephen2013-07-08T15:29:14-07:002013-07-08T15:29:14-07:00Matt Kemp out of lineup again in Arizona opener
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<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
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<p>Kemp is hitting .273 with two home runs, two stolen bases, seven RBI and seven runs scored in 10 games since returning from the disabled list with a hamstring injury, but a shoulder injury has kept Kemp sidelined since Friday night.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> will be without center fielder <span>Matt Kemp</span> in the starting lineup on Monday as they open a three-game series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> at Chase Field in Phoenix.</p>
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<h2>Starting Lineups</h2>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#c51230" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Diamondbacks</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)<br>
</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Parra (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Hill<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B<br>
</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Goldschmidt</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Ramirez<br>
</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Chavez (L)<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Ethier (L)</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Prado<br>
</td>
</tr>
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<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Montero (L)<br>
</td>
</tr>
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<td>3B</td>
<td>Uribe<br>
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<td>RF</td>
<td>Kubel (L)<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Gregorius (L)</td>
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<td>P</td>
<td>Greinke<br>
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<td>P</td>
<td>Delgado</td>
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</tbody></table>
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<p>This will be the third straight game out of the lineup for Kemp, who <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/5/4497838/matt-kemp-injury-dodgers-shoulder">hurt his left shoulder during a swing Friday night in San Francisco</a>. The Dodgers announced Friday that Kemp irritated the AC joint in his left shoulder, a different part of the shoulder than he had surgery in October.</p>
<p>Manager Don Mattingly <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/5/4497838/matt-kemp-injury-dodgers-shoulder">said after Friday's game that Kemp was not likely to be placed on the disabled list</a> and that Kemp would likely only miss "a couple of days." On Sunday Mattingly reiterated that he thought Kemp would play Monday, <a target="_blank" href="http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130707&content_id=53022036&notebook_id=53036138&vkey=notebook_la&c_id=la">per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com</a>.</p>
<p>But that is not the case in the series opener in Arizona.</p>
<p>Kemp is hitting .254/.309/.357 with four home runs in 61 games this season, but was hitting .273/.333/.485 with two home runs, seven RBI and seven runs scored in 10 games since getting activated from the disabled list on June 25.</p>
<h3>Game info</h3>
<p>Time: 6:40 p.m.</p>
<p>TV: Prime Ticket</p>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_07_08_arimlb_lanmlb_1&mode=gameday" target="_blank">MLB Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/8/4505236/matt-kemp-injury-dodgers-diamondbacks-starting-lineupsEric Stephen2013-07-08T15:00:06-07:002013-07-08T15:00:06-07:00Dodgers need turnaround vs. D-Backs head-to-head
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers are 2-7 against the Diamondbacks in 2013. Their worst seasons against Arizona were 2005 (5-13) and 2012 (6-12).</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> have been able to make a run of late from oblivion into the National League West race, but they won't fully complete the comeback unless they are able to beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> head-to-head. The Dodgers get their chance for three games beginning Monday night at Chase Field in Phoenix.</p>
<p>After opening the season at 9-23 against the National League West, the Dodgers have won nine of their last 11 within the division, including series wins against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> twice, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> and two wins against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>.</p>
<p>But the Diamondbacks are another story.</p>
<p>Arizona has beaten the Dodgers in all three series this season, including a sweep at Dodger Stadium. The Diamondbacks are 7-2 against the Dodgers this season. The last time the Dodgers won a series against their Phoenician foes was May 21-23, 2012, when Ivan DeJesus was a hero and <span>Ted Lilly</span> was healthy and productive (well, until that series finale anyway).</p>
<p>In just over a calendar year, dating back to July 6, 2012, the Dodgers are 4-17 in their last 21 games against the Diamondbacks.</p>
<p>During those 21 games <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> has been especially problematic for the Dodgers, hitting .385/.456/.692 with seven home runs, 22 RBI, and 15 runs scored. The first-time All-Star and National League RBI leader has driven in 12 of his 74 runs against the Dodgers in 2013.</p>
<p>Goldschmidt is 1-for-6 with three strikeouts and a walk in his career against <span>Zack Greinke</span>, Monday's starter for the Dodgers. That one hit was a home run that came in Game 2 of the 2011 NLDS between Arizona and Milwaukee.</p>
<p>Greinke allowed just two runs on two hits in seven innings against the Diamondbacks in The Brawl Game II on June 11, but a number of Diamondbacks have good career numbers against the right-hander. <span>Aaron Hill</span>, hitting .326/.404/.522 in 13 games since returning from the disabled list, is a career .333/.360/.375 hitter against Greinke.</p>
<p><span>Jason Kubel</span> is 10-for-31 (.323) with two home runs, two doubles and a triple in his career against Greinke. Miguel Montero is 4-for-11 (.364) with a home run, a double and one hit by pitch right in between the numbers. <span>Gerardo Parra</span> is 4-for-12 (.333) with a walk against Greinke.</p>
<p><span>Randall Delgado</span> doesn't have much of a history against the Dodgers, as nobody has faced him more than five plate appearances. He has only faced the Dodgers once in his career, in 2011 when he was with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>, and he allowed three runs in five innings in a no-decision.</p>
<p>Delgado since getting called up from Triple-A Reno is 1-2 with a 3.67 ERA in four starts and a relief appearance, with 25 strikeouts and just four walks in 27 innings. Delgado has allowed six home runs in 27 innings.</p>
<h3>Game info</h3>
<p>Time: 6:40 p.m.</p>
<p>TV: Prime Ticket</p>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_07_08_lanmlb_arimlb_1" target="_blank">MLB Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/8/4504616/dodgers-diamondbacks-zack-greinke-randall-delgadoEric Stephen2013-07-08T13:00:08-07:002013-07-08T13:00:08-07:00Q&A with Charlie Gebow of AZ Snake Pit
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Two weeks ago it was hard to imagine that this meeting between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks would feature the NL West's first and second place teams. Let's see what Charlie Gebow from AZ Snake Pit has to say about Arizona's play as of late and over the course of the season. </p> <p class="p1">The battle between first and second place in the NL West starts tonight between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>. Charlie Gebow from <a href="http://www.azsnakepit.com/">AZ Snake Pit</a> recently took the time to answer a couple questions about Arizona's 2013 season so far.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DAVID</b>: Who do you think the Diamondbacks' MVP and Cy Young are as of right now?</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> and <span>Patrick Corbin</span>, respectively. You could argue that without them, both the hitting and starting pitching for the Diamondbacks would be a nightmarish hellscape that Werner Herzog could never possibly achieve. Goldschmidt is a legitimate NL MVP candidate right now by many measures (Lots of dingers, high batting average, best player on a first place team, chisled features, etc.) I would say the runner-up is <span>Gerardo Parra</span>, who has given the Diamondbacks a fairly impressive OPS+ of 118 from the leadoff spot.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: At the start of the season, Corbin was one of three guys who were considered to be in a race for the fifth starter, with <span>Randall Delgado</span> and <span>Tyler Skaggs</span>. Corbin won out and thank goodness he did. (Of course, all three of them are in the rotation right now. Baseball!) Also, if you ever need anything to make any Angel fans you know feel bad, bring up Patrick Corbin and Tyler Skaggs. It's fun.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DAVID</b>: Do you think Paul Goldschmidt deserves to start in the All-Star Game over <span>Joey Votto</span>?</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: Duh, shouldn't everybody? Goldschmidt is more of a power/RBI guy and Votto more of an on base guy. The former is usually sexier to your average ASG voter, but Votto is also entrenched in the way that guys get in ASG voting. So just because of what I want to see, I think he deserves it, but it's not like Votto is totally unworthy. It's not, say, <span>Brandon Belt</span> starting instead.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DAVID</b>: In your honest opinion, do you see Patrick Corbin being this dominant in future seasons? <span>Ian Kennedy</span> was incredible in 2011 but hasn't been nearly as good since then.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: I don't know about this dominant. Like all young players, pitching and position players, scouting will catch up to him and opposing players will make adjustments, and he'll need to make counter-adjustments. Having good control with his slider will be key. Developing a third pitch beyond this fastball-slider combo would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath. I still think he'll be an effective starter going forward, it not at this level.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DAVID</b>: This might seem random but I've heard a lot of positive things about him. Do you think Steve Berthiaume has done a good job as Arizona's new play-by-play broadcaster?</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: Well, I like him. He's knowledgeable and has a sort of dry sense of humor that I personally relate with. He's still a little raw when it comes to some nuts and bolts announcer stuff (mostly around the judging of fly balls as homers or just fly-outs), but he's only been on the job for three months. That sort of thing takes repetition, I imagine. Pairing him up with (Bob) Brenly, one of the best color analysts in the business, helps a lot. The new booth is definitely, in my opinion, a breath of fresh air from the random sentence fragments Mark Grace used to shout.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DAVID</b>: What types of players do you think the Dbacks need to target at the trade deadline?</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: Hard to say. You could argue that another outfield bat would be nice, but Adam Eaton is still rehabbing and could be that spark. If <span>Martin Prado</span> starts hitting around his career averages, that could be a big boost. A starting pitcher would be nice, but there are a lot of options internally through guys in the minors that have been mentioned as having an outside chance of being called up (<span>Archie Bradley</span> and <span>David Holmberg</span>, both currently in Double-A) to guys coming off the DL (<span>Brandon McCarthy</span>). Another reliever is probably the big need, especially if any of the back-end guys fly off the handle permanently.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DAVID</b>: Do you think this team could be a lot better with <span>Justin Upton</span> still on it? Or do you think they're fine without him?</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: April version of Upton? Yes. Every other month version of him? Hell no. For whatever reason, the well here was poisoned for Upton, and him being moved was inevitable. Considering this team is better (so far) than the 2012 team that did have Upton, so I guess the official answer is a hesitant "No...?"</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DAVID</b>: <span>Heath Bell</span> isn't pitching well and neither is <span>J.J. Putz</span>. What do you think Arizona needs to do to fix that problem?</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: Either trade for somebody or hope that one of them figures it out. Compounding the issue is that David Hernandez, probably the best reliever the past two seasons, has also decided to give into the peer pressure of his bullpen mates and also give up a lot of home runs and walk guys at a higher than usual rate.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: J.J. struggled in his first appearance off the DL, and had noticeably lower velocity. However, he looked sharp in the following two, and his velocity was back to normal levels. If he continues that, then the Diamondbacks won't need to break the bank for a temporary fix in a back-end reliever. I'd still like them to get one, but not out of desperation.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: Heath Bell should only be used when there's a tire fire already in progress, either in or against the Diamondbacks' favor. He's been too adept at setting them this season. I kind of understood his acquisition in the offseason, Kevin Towers was hoping to hit big on a reclamation project which is the sort of risk you sometimes need to take to get a team over the top, but the existential dread I get when Heath Bell comes into games is not close to subsiding anytime soon.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DAVID</b>: Arizona is first in the NL West. What do you think they need to do to stay in first and make the playoffs?</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: Guys other than Goldschmidt and Parra need to step up, and to be fair some have. <span>Miguel Montero</span> has recovered nicely from his terrible first two months of the season, <span>Cody Ross</span> has been hot lately, and Martin Prado has shown signs of competence and then some in the past few days. Getting Aaron Hill back after a lengthy DL stint from a broken hand will help immeasurably.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: Pitching wise, again, guys other than Corbin need to step it up. <span>Wade Miley</span> and Ian Kennedy will be key. They've both had rough times during this season, but if they pitch the second half close to what they're capable of, the Diamondbacks will be in a good spot. They both had good outings the last time they pitched, so there's hope.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: The Diamondbacks are in first mostly through virtue of the rest of the NL West being significantly worse by comparison. However, you get that feeling that won't be the case for long and somebody else will step up (at the moment, it looks like you guys might be that team.) Arizona also played 48 road games in the first half, more than any other team in the majors as of the end of play Sunday. This will ensure many many many games at home in the second half, which could be huge down the stretch.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DAVID</b>: Series prediction?</p>
<p class="p1"><b>CHARLIE</b>: I'll say 2-1 D'Backs by virtue of them being at home this time, and having a rested up bullpen that only pitched three innings in the sweep against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>. Everyone will be nice to one-another, at least outwardly.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/8/4502230/dodgers-diamondbacks-preview-az-snake-pit-charlie-gebowDavid Lauterbach