Interleague play should benefit D-backs

Assuming Mesa native (and Kirk Gibson’s Dodger replacement
in the 1988 World Series) Mickey Hatcher
wasn’t the Angels’ hitters problem, it looks like the
Diamondbacks got a darn good interleague draw this season.

Besides having to play the Rangers in Arlington, the D-
backs’ matchups versus the Royals, A’s, Angels, and
Mariners are all relatively favorable, especially
considering the difficulty of their schedule in the first
quarter of the season.

The D-backs have played 28 games versus teams who are .500
or better this season. Before yesterday’s games, that was
more than three times as many as the division-leading
Dodgers, who had only played nine such games. (Note: the
Dodgers are hosting the NL Central-leading Cardinals this
weekend.)

After beating Luis Mendoza Friday night, the D-backs get
to
face Bruce Chen and
Nathan Adcock to finish out their
series against the Royals. Besides the return of one of the National
League’s best hitters or a series versus Kyndra de
St. Aubin’s Twins, could the struggling D-backs receive a
better gift than a series against the Royals right now?

While interleague play is clearly flawed and unfair —
despite how much some may value it — it has
the potential to benefit the D-backs immensely this
season.

Saturday, Sunday salmagundi

• Regarding upcoming interleague matchups, as things
stand right now, we’ll get Trevor Cahill versus Jarrod
Parker on Saturday, June 9, when the A’s are in town. You
should know the significance of that matchup…

• More on interleague play: the division-best
Dodgers are the only NL West team with an easier
interleague draw than the D-backs, as they’re the only
team in the division who doesn’t have to face the Rangers.
Meanwhile, the division-worst Padres have the most trying
draw — having to face both the Rangers and Tigers.

• Trevor Bauer was sensational in his Triple-A debut
Friday. His line: 8 innings pitched, 4 hits, 1 earned
run, 1 walk, 11 strikeouts, 113 pitches (73 strikes).

• In hindsight, Dave Burns was
right about the May 14 stuff. Sorry for injecting you with optimism.

• Also right: Vince Marotta about
capitalizing on Kemp’s absence.

• Craig Breslow and Brad Ziegler have a combined
1.40 ERA this season.

Follow @AZSports