The Arizona Diamondbacks get their second and final crack at Joey Votto and the Cincinnati Reds as the teams meet again this month. Or really we should say the Reds get another shot at the D-backs who won their first series when the teams played at Chase Field a week ago. Either way, these two NL powerhouses won't see each other again until the playoffs. (Don't laugh.) (OK, laugh.)
The pitching match ups in this series should be interesting as well. In Tuesday's Game 1 the D-backs throw their fifth starter who happens to have a team-high two wins. Mr. (Almost) Perfect will put his perfect 2-0 record up against Sam LeCure who with a name like that obviously, is from Texas.
Sam is 0-0 in two starts this season but is sporting a nice ERA of 2.25 with a gaudy WHIP of only 0.67. Sam, however, has faced easy competition (Houston and San Diego) so far. Let's see how he deals with the likes of Willie Bloomquist (.316) and Miguel Montero (.391). (Don't laugh.) (OK, laugh.)
The next two games of the series feature each team's number one and number two starters.
Ian Kennedy (1-1, 6.88) will look to bounce back Wednesday after his last rough outing against Mr. Junkball, Bronson Arroyo (2-1, 4.24). In the series finale Thursday, Daniel Hudson (0-3, 4.26) faces Mike Leake (2-0, 5.40), assuming he makes bond. (Don't laugh.) (OK, laugh.)
Normally, we would slag Leake hard for getting pinched trying to steal $60 worth of men's shirts from Macy's, but he did go to ASU so we will lay off (a bit).
First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. Arizona time (the only time that matters) with the game broadcast on TV at Fox Sports Arizona.
WEATHER ALERT!! -- Thunderstorms are forecast for this afternoon and evening at Great American Ballpark so don't be surprised if this game is delayed in some form or fashion.
Here's more D-backs updates from the great AZ Snake Pit:
Series Preview #6: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Cincinnati Reds - AZ Snake Pit
Ah, how time flies. It seems like only a week ago that the Reds came into Chase Field and got kicked around by the home team, giving the Diamondbacks their first and only series win thus far in 2011.How simple we all were back then, filled with rosy optimism about the Diamondbacks upcoming series against the Cardinals and Giants. The last time the D-Backs faced the Reds, they were at .500, Josh Collmenter was still wasting away in AAA, the price of gas was a mere $3.73, and everyone was angry about Joe Saunders ruining a string of quality starts from our rotation (wait, that last one actually DOES seem like a long time ago).
Ooh, this looks like fun...
Baseball's Greatest Scandals, #10: Steinbrenner vs. Winfield - AZ Snake Pit
In this irregular series, we'll be taking a wander through the darker side of baseball history, visiting the 'Hall of Shame' for the sport.