D-backs-Cardinals a telling series

The defending world champion St. Louis Cardinals are in
town and they didn’t just bring their World Series rings.
The 2012 Cardinals arrive at Chase Field with the best run
differential in all of baseball, a 17-11 record, a
surprisingly-good pitching staff that has the second-best
team ERA in the National League, and a scary-good offense
that has an NL-best .805 team OPS.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks return from a 5-5 road trip
through the NL East at under .500 on the season.
Th
e banged-up
club has a 4-10 record in games decided by
one
run (1-10 in their last 11 such games), some of the worst
relief pitching in the National League, and some
pretty
bad situational hitting splits (e.g. a .221 batting
average with runners in scoring position; an MLB-worst
.168 batting average in late/close situations). And,
after
starting the season 3-0 at home, the D-backs’ are 3-7
since, with series losses to the
Pirates, Braves, and Phillies in the most recent
homestand.

These things considered, the D-backs could prove a lot in
the next three games against the Cardinals. To put it
mildly, the defending World Series champs aren’t exactly
tailor-made for a D-backs upturn this week. However, if
the D-backs are able to pull off a series win against such
a team as the 2012 Cardinals, then they can make a major
assertion as a team and elude increased doubt.

Homestand hodgepodge

• The Cardinals’ early-season success is intriguing
on many levels. Tony La Russa retired, Albert Pujols left,
and Chris Carpenter hasn’t pitched a game this season.
Mike Matheny — the youngest manager in baseball —
brought no managing experience into the season, Lance Lynn
— a first-year starter — is 5-0 with a 1.60 ERA and a
0.77 WHIP, and David Freese lost no momentum from last
year’s postseason exploits.

• Who saw the intrigue of Joe Saunders vs. Lance
Lynn coming? The two number 5 starters are among the top 5
in baseball in ERA and quality starts. If you’re not a
hockey or basketball fan and would — like myself —
prefer to watch a controlled, less-chaotic game be sure to
tune in to Monday night’s pitcher’s duel.

• Kirk Gibson still hasn’t used the same batting
order more than once this season. That’s 29 batting orders
in 29 games.

• Cody Ransom has the best OPS of all Major League
third baseman with a minimum of 30 plate appearances. His
.344 batting average is second only to the Mets’ David
Wright.

• After their 10-game road trip, the D-backs have
played a series against every NL East team. Their record
against that division is 7-10, thanks to a 3-1 series win
at Miami.

• Former D-backs ace Curt Schilling doesn’t think
batters should be thrown at because “people
die.”

• D-backs starters went 4-3 with a 2.80 ERA and a
.228 opponent’s batting average on their recent 10-game
road trip, recording 20 walks and 44 strikeouts. They
pitched six-plus innings in eight of those 10 games.

Follow @Vincemarotta