Gibson talks pitching rotation post All-Star break
Jul 8, 2012, 1:14 AM | Updated: 1:20 am
July 7, 2012: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers pre-game
With two games to go before the All-Star break, manager
Kirk Gibson was asked to assess his team’s performance
through the first half of the season.
“We prefer to be a in a better position,” he said as his
club is three games under .500 and six games behind the
first place Dodgers.
“We’ve had mixed results. We’ve had some tough losses but
I think overall we’ve continued to fight through and
battle.”
A year ago at the break, Gibson’s club was 49-43 and in
second place, three games out of first in the NL West.
“We could all sit here and beat up ourselves over it but
the reality of it is we’re just over halfway into the
season,” continued Gibson.
“We’re not going to give in to anything. We know we can
go on a run. We have in the past. We’ve made it harder
on ourselves, let’s be realistic. But, we still believe–
-just like we said a couple of weeks ago, that we’re
certainly in contention to go to the post-season.”
—
Gibson tentatively announced his starting rotation
following the break.
“I think probably the first three are going to be Ian
Kennedy, Joe Saunders and I think it’s (Trevor) Cahill.”
The Diamondbacks open the second half of the season in
Chicago against the Cubs.
Gibson added, “I haven’t gotten that far yet” when asked
whether Josh Collmenter will remain in the rotation. “I
want to see how Trevor (Bauer) throws tomorrow.”
—
Jason Kubel has never been known for his defense.
“I always thought of him more for his offensive side. I
think everybody did,” said Gibson.
“I think we thought that he wouldn’t be able to cover as
much ground as (Gerardo) Parra. I don’t think we
evaluated his arm as good as it’s been but that’s a
tribute to him.”
Kubel last night threw out Mark Ellis at home plate in the
7th inning for his 11th outfield assist of the season,
third-most in club history.
“This has got to be as good as he’s ever thrown the ball,”
said Gibson. “(His throws) are low, through the cutoff
man and one-hop. That’s perfect.”