ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to strengthen their pitching staff

Jul 20, 2011, 4:00 PM | Updated: 5:17 pm

The San Francisco Giants have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. The same can’t be said about the Arizona Diamondbacks.

As divisional races heat up and the trade deadline approaches, the D-backs will look to improve their pitching staff in an attempt to close the four-and-a-half game gap between them and the division leading Giants.

“We plan on being as active as we can,” Arizona Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers said on Sports 620 KTAR’s Doug and Wolf. “For us, it’s about pitching. We have to improve our pitching and that’s really been our focus.”

While Arizona fans certainly want to acquire a big name player and win the division, Towers mentioned that he needs to evaluate his current team and assess realistic goals before parting ways with promising prospects.

“Do you have a realistic chance of passing the clubs in front of you and if you think you do then you go for it,” Towers said. “If you think you have a 50-50 chance then you do not mortgage your future, but make a few small moves to improve your club.”

D-backs fans may be excited about the trade deadline, but it won’t matter if the team does not play good baseball over the next couple weeks.

After the D-backs finish up their current series with the Brewers they will play 15 straight games against divisional opponents.

If Arizona struggles during that stretch they may fall out of the race as the Giants, who will likely acquire some bats at the deadline, already have the necessary pitching to hold on to the division lead.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Relief pitcher Matt Bowman #51 of the Minnesota Twins throws against Ehire Adrianza #13 of the Los ...

Kellan Olson

D-backs acquire reliever Matt Bowman, move Merrill Kelly to 60-day IL

The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired right-handed pitcher Matt Bowman from the Minnesota Twins on Thursday for cash.

6 hours ago

Beekeeper clearing the bees at Chase Field D-backs-Dodgers game....

Bailey Leasure

Hero beekeeper Matt Hilton getting own Topps baseball card

Matt Hilton, the beekeeper who cleared the bee swarm at Tuesday's game between the D-backs and Dodgers is getting his own Topps baseball card.

14 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery...

Alex Weiner

What went wrong for Jordan Montgomery, Diamondbacks in loss to Dodgers

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said nothing went the way they expected after a blowout loss to the Dodgers.

1 day ago

Blake Walston...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks prospect Blake Walston’s Las Vegas call-up: ‘I was at the table’

Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Blake Walston was at the Blackjack table when he received the news of a lifetime. 

1 day ago

Gabriel Moreno...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno scratched from lineup vs. Dodgers

The Diamondbacks scratched starting catcher Gabriel Moreno from Wednesday's lineup against the Dodgers at Chase Field. 

1 day ago

Zac Gallen...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks push Zac Gallen start back for rest after hamstring scare

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen's next start has been pushed back after Tuesday's bees delay shook up the starting rotation. 

1 day ago

Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to strengthen their pitching staff