Did the D'Backs just turn the corner?

[Catfish]

The pitching, (starters and bullpen alike), are doing very well indeed. The scoring is still weak, as too many are still swinging for the fence. The grit and mental toughness has improved greatly with these youngsters, and they are beginning to jell as a unit instead of a bunch of individuals. It looks like playing is becoming fun for all of them, and they have taken a liking to their manager.

Gibby has done well with this bunch, and my guess is that they have turned the corner on this season. The last 4 or 5 games have been gutsy exhibitions that show a new determination not to lose. This is becoming a very fun bunch to watch. At 20 wins and 23 losses, and with a newfound toughness and will to win, it looks like mount .500 is about to be topped. Even Upton seems to be buying into the program. It looks like these guys genuinely like each other, and their manager.

 

[az jam]

Agree, they are staring to be fun to watch especially with Gibby showing them how to play the game. I went with my son (adult) to the Tuesday evening San Diego game. They won 6 -1. It was an exciting game and very enjoyable to watch. Big difference from last year.

 

[overseascardfan]

Consistency is the indication of turning the corner. Can the rotation consistently keep the team in the game, can the offense consistently provide enough offense to win, can the bullpen consistently hold leads and finish games? When this happens then they have turned the corner.

 

[Gaddabout]

At the very least they are a watchable baseball team. I had to stop watching in June last year because it was just AWFUL baseball. Win or lose, this team tends to play baseball the right away. Loved it the other night when we had a string of outs that actually advanced the runner.

 

[Mulli]

At the very least they are a watchable baseball team. I had to stop watching in June last year because it was just AWFUL baseball. Win or lose, this team tends to play baseball the right away. Loved it the other night when we had a string of outs that actually advanced the runner.

Ya, even my mom watches. She tells me about "that Jason Upton" all the time.

 

[82CardsGrad]

No... they haven't turned the corner. They still have some very LARGE holes to deal with. Leadoff remains a major problem. CY remains an issue. Upton continues to perform below his potential and below where the team needs him. No power or offense to speak of from the 1st and 3rd base positions remains a big issue...

I've been saying pretty consistently that this team has had the type Starting Pitching quality good enough to contend in the division. But, they never had a pen to back them up, and certainly have never had a major league level offense.
So now, they have the pen which is so great to see. The starting pitching is very, very solid. BUT, no offense...

The good news is that this year, it looks like you won't have to put up 90 wins to win the division. Maybe 87 or 88 will get you right there. Still, to get to that level with this offense, the D-backs pitching would have to have an historical year to make that happen...

 

[azsportsfan01]

No... they haven't turned the corner. They still have some very LARGE holes to deal with. Leadoff remains a major problem. CY remains an issue. Upton continues to perform below his potential and below where the team needs him. No power or offense to speak of from the 1st and 3rd base positions remains a big issue...

I've been saying pretty consistently that this team has had the type Starting Pitching quality good enough to contend in the division. But, they never had a pen to back them up, and certainly have never had a major league level offense.
So now, they have the pen which is so great to see. The starting pitching is very, very solid. BUT, no offense...

The good news is that this year, it looks like you won't have to put up 90 wins to win the division. Maybe 87 or 88 will get you right there. Still, to get to that level with this offense, the D-backs pitching would have to have an historical year to make that happen...

You keep making these claims about the D-Backs having no offense which is flat out wrong. They by no means have a great offense but it is good. They sit at 13th in the majors in runs scored. Yes they aren't hitting for the average we would like them to get but they are getting the job done.

You complain when they team only gets 7 or 8 hits yet that is the major league average. In fact the Cardinals lead the league in hits with 435 which is less than 10 hits a game.

The D-Backs offense is not a juggernaut, nor will it be this season but the team is playing well in all aspects of the game. They could stand to improve, like every team in the majors, but this team is headed in the right direction.

 

[Gaddabout]

You keep making these claims about the D-Backs having no offense which is flat out wrong. They by no means have a great offense but it is good. They sit at 13th in the majors in runs scored. Yes they aren't hitting for the average we would like them to get but they are getting the job done.

You complain when they team only gets 7 or 8 hits yet that is the major league average. In fact the Cardinals lead the league in hits with 435 which is less than 10 hits a game.

The D-Backs offense is not a juggernaut, nor will it be this season but the team is playing well in all aspects of the game. They could stand to improve, like every team in the majors, but this team is headed in the right direction.

They could use one more decent bat in the lineup, but I agree with this. Curious to see if Goldschmidt gets an early call up.

 

[devilalum]

You keep making these claims about the D-Backs having no offense which is flat out wrong. They by no means have a great offense but it is good. They sit at 13th in the majors in runs scored. Yes they aren't hitting for the average we would like them to get but they are getting the job done.

You complain when they team only gets 7 or 8 hits yet that is the major league average. In fact the Cardinals lead the league in hits with 435 which is less than 10 hits a game.

The D-Backs offense is not a juggernaut, nor will it be this season but the team is playing well in all aspects of the game. They could stand to improve, like every team in the majors, but this team is headed in the right direction.

The averages are deceiving.

In April their pitching stunk (Barry Enright) but they were hitting pretty well. In May it is the opposite. Definitely time to give Goldschmidt a go.

Oh, my 8 year old daughter made up a game it's called "Who's a bigger loser." Its always a comparison and the second answer is always Barry Enright.

 

[azsportsfan01]

They could use one more decent bat in the lineup, but I agree with this. Curious to see if Goldschmidt gets an early call up.

Goldschmidt has played 39 games above A ball. He should not be brought up this season.

 

[devilalum]

Goldschmidt has played 39 games above A ball. He should not be brought up this season.

Then how about Brandon Allen?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=allen-002bra

and they've brought up guys faster than that before.

 

[Gaddabout]

Goldschmidt has played 39 games above A ball. He should not be brought up this season.

I usually agree -- you can ruin prospects by bringing them up too fast. But if he continues to dominate AA, I don't see what he has to gain by staying there or going to Pacific Coast League, where weak-hitting veterans are ripping the cover off the ball.

 

[azsportsfan01]

Then how about Brandon Allen?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=allen-002bra

and they've brought up guys faster than that before.

I am all for bringing up Allen. He has nothing left to prove in the minors. Goldschmidt has shown he can hold his own though I want to see it for a full season.

I usually agree -- you can ruin prospects by bringing them up too fast. But if he continues to dominate AA, I don't see what he has to gain by staying there or going to Pacific Coast League, where weak-hitting veterans are ripping the cover off the ball.

Goldschmidt needs to stay in AA until Allen fails in the majors. Moving Goldschmidt to Reno would be counter productive. As you said the PCL is a hitters haven. It would not help him. Keeping him in the Southern League is the thing to do. AA has the best prospects and it is more of a pitchers league. Let him play a full season continuing to work on his swing. Don't forget he struck out 161 times last season in 599 plate appearances. He has changed his swing to make it shorter and it appears to be working. Why rush him up and have him try to force it and revert back to all the bad habits?

 

[BC867]

Why rush him up and have him try to force it and revert back to all the bad habits?

That is something to be concerned about. With the predominance of popups and strikeouts up and down the D'backs lineup, the place for Goldschmidt to build confidence is at AA rather than in the Major Leagues. That's sad to say, isn't it?

But the team leadership, who won't commit to who is batting leadoff or playing 1B tomorrow, is saying that Goldschmidt is close to being called up.

Another D'back who will develop bad habits on the D'backs, then ultimately get traded and be a star. That's sad to say, too.

 

[Dback Jon]

Horrid use of bullpen tonite

 

[Gaddabout]

Horrid use of bullpen tonite

This. I just had Chico's Tacos and I think I might lose them in a second. Heilmann alert!

 

[Gaddabout]

Talk about skin of your teeth! Kelly Johnson fielded that ball in shallow right field. Good thing Morneau can't run. Can't believe he didn't go opposite field with that pitch.

 

[Catfish]

What I like is the grit they are beginning to show. Most of the pen was heartless earlier on, and if they gave up a critical hit, or a solo shot, they wouldn't throw a strike after that. Both Gutierrez and Hernandez did that tonight again. Gutless. Then Patterson comes in and throws great to save a very losable game. Gutsy performance proving that you need to give the defense a chance to help. There is no defense for a walk. Starters are doing good. Bullpen coming around slowly with a couple of exceptions. If they are grooming Hernandez for a closer----he might not have the mentality for it. Doesn't matter what he throws, he can't win if he won't put the ball over the plate.

The offense is finding itself slowly as they learn to hit for hits, instead of swinging for the fences. Both Young and Upton need to learn to do this, much like Ryan Roberts has done recently. Drew would also be more effective as a spray hitter than a pull for the fence guy. They gutted this one out after almost throwing away a won game. Good for them. Another win, that makes 6 of the last 7, I believe. 21 up---23 down.

 

[Gaddabout]

The offense is finding itself slowly as they learn to hit for hits, instead of swinging for the fences. Both Young and Upton need to learn to do this, much like Ryan Roberts has done recently. Drew would also be more effective as a spray hitter than a pull for the fence guy. They gutted this one out after almost throwing away a won game. Good for them. Another win, that makes 6 of the last 7, I believe. 21 up---23 down.

I want to sit down with Upton and Young and explain to them that home runs are the happenstance product of hitters who make a lot of contact and work the count to swing at their pitches, but I'm guessing both of them have heard that all their careers.

 

[azsportsfan01]

Drew would also be more effective as a spray hitter than a pull for the fence guy.

Drew has never been a guy that goes up there and tries to hit homers. He has always been a gap hitter.

Also this is the type of game this team always seemed to lose the past few years. Its good to see them pull one out like this.

 

[Gaddabout]

Ian Kennedy?

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[82CardsGrad]

You keep making these claims about the D-Backs having no offense which is flat out wrong. They by no means have a great offense but it is good. They sit at 13th in the majors in runs scored. Yes they aren't hitting for the average we would like them to get but they are getting the job done.

You complain when they team only gets 7 or 8 hits yet that is the major league average. In fact the Cardinals lead the league in hits with 435 which is less than 10 hits a game.

The D-Backs offense is not a juggernaut, nor will it be this season but the team is playing well in all aspects of the game. They could stand to improve, like every team in the majors, but this team is headed in the right direction.

My point has been that the offense has been consistently, and undeniably sub-par, while our pitching has been more than good enough. Our offense has been the biggest single reason as to why this team continues to underperform. You can toss up averages and feel good about a team that produces averages that fall in the bottom half to botttom third of most key rankings. However, the fact remains that far too many times, when a starter has put up a quality start, the offense fails. When a key hit is required to move runners or score a runner, the offense fails.

Yes, they are just nnow in a very nice groove. In a 162 game season, teams are bound to hit good stretches here and there. However, I still contend that with CY as our starting CF, with no MLB-quality lead-off hitter and with extreme sub-par production from both 3rd and 1st base, this team will fall short in the end - even though we have the pitching that is plenty good enough to contend and even win the West.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I should add that putting Willie in the leadoff slot, with Roberts at 3rd and Nady at first is a huge step in the right direction. I'm not sold on any of those guys being every-day players throughout at entire season - but, ya never know...

 

[BC867]

I should add that putting Willie in the leadoff slot, with Roberts at 3rd and Nady at first is a huge step in the right direction. I'm not sold on any of those guys being every-day players throughout at entire season - but, ya never know...

Before we get our hopes up, Gibson had that lineup only because a lefty started against us. It's a good platoon, but until Roberts shows that he is not what he's been this season, he should be at 3B every day.

As I posted recently, Ryan is our 2011 version of Craig Counsell. He makes the rest of the team better, every game he plays.

Either Bloomquist or Roberts is our best bet for leadoff hitter -- our only good choices for leadoff. Certainly not Young. How long will it be before Gibson puts him right back at leadoff, as he has done over and over this season?