ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs close to Giants in standings, not in talent

Jun 17, 2011, 10:40 PM | Updated: 11:46 pm

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been outscored 36-26 by the San Francisco Giants as the defending World Series champs have taken seven of nine games from team in Sedona Red.

Four of the seven losses have been by one run, though, leading many to think that the Diamondbacks, while maybe not being right there with the Giants, are not far behind.

“When I watch these two teams play…why is it that to me it doesn’t feel like the Arizona Diamondbacks are really that close to the San Francisco Giants,” Dave Burns wondered on Sports 620 KTAR’s Sports Interactive. “I think the Giants have a clearly superior pitching rotation to the Arizona Diamondbacks, a clearly superior bullpen to the Arizona Diamondbacks; I just don’t think the Arizona Diamondbacks have enough and I think what we’re looking at right now tends to be more of a mirage.

“I don’t think the Diamondbacks are that close to the Giants when you really go brass tacks and look at the two teams side by side.”

Thanks for raining on our parade, Dave.

In reality the fact that the Giants, even with stars Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey missing significant time with injuries, are still 1.5 games ahead of the D-backs. Add in that yes, the Giants easily boast the better pitching staff, and it’s easy to see why Burns feels the way he does.

That said, the 2007 Diamondbacks were far less impressive than this bunch, and they won 92 games and made it to the NLCS. Does this team have a similar run in them?

We’ll find out soon enough.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Pavin Smith drives in six runs as the D-backs beat the Cardinals 14-1....

Associated Press

Pavin Smith drives in 6 runs as Diamondbacks rout Cardinals

Pavin Smith hits a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs to help the Diamondbacks to a 14-1 win over the Cardinals Tuesday.

1 hour ago

D-backs put up 14 runs in six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday....

Bailey Leasure

Diamondbacks drop Cardinals with home-run party

Pavin Smith hits a grand slam as the D-backs swung early Tuesday, putting up 14 runs as they beat the Cardinals 14-1.

2 hours ago

Starting pitcher Merrill Kelly...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks place starter Merrill Kelly on injured list, recall Tommy Henry

The injuries continue for the Arizona Diamondbacks as the team announced Tuesday that Merrill Kelly will go on the 15-day injured list.

6 hours ago

Sergio Alcantara...

Arizona Sports

D-backs trade cash to Pirates for Sergio Alcantara’s 5th Arizona stint, claim reliever Joe Jacques

The Arizona Diamondbacks traded cash to the Pittsburgh Pirates and added Sergio Alcantara for his fifth stint with the D-backs organization.

7 hours ago

Paul Sewald...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks’ Paul Sewald to make rehab appearance for Triple-A Reno

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald is ready for his next step toward returning from the injured list.

1 day ago

Manager Torey Lovullo...

Alex Weiner

Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman hits walk-off home run to beat Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Kyle Nelson gave up a walk-off home run to Cardinals hitter and Phoenix native Nolan Gorman.

1 day ago

D-backs close to Giants in standings, not in talent