Diamondbacks Record: 4-3
For the Diamondbacks, the start of the 2006 season has been
marked by incredible starting pitching; it has been much better than anyone
could have hoped. With the exception of Russ Ortiz’ rough outing on Friday, the
starters were able to succeed in the most hostile environment for pitchers
(Coors Field) and against the hottest-starting team in the National League
(Milwaukee Brewers).
As the team begins its 10-game opening homestand, they hope
its rotation can continue to succeed in Chase field, also an extreme hitter’s
park. The Diamondbacks want to avoid a repeat of last season’s horrific 36-45
home record, which was worst in the division. They begin their home season
against three teams that are currently 4-2: Colorado, Houston, and San
Francisco.
April 11-13: Colorado Rockies (4-2)
Probable Pitchers:
11th: Aaron Cook at Orlando Hernandez
12th: Jeff Francis at Miguel Batista
13th: Josh Fogg at Russ Ortiz
For those who expect to see the same Colorado team that
played Arizona in their opening series, think again. From 2004-2005, the
Rockies have gone 78-84 at home, but just 57-105 away from Coors. Even some of
their pitchers perform better at home, now. No one exemplifies this better than
Game 2 starter Jeff Francis (Home: 8-4 4.88 Away: 6-8 6.40).
So far this season, Colorado has defied their history by
sweeping the Padres on the road after having lost two of three in Coors to the
D’backs in the opening series. Unless there’s some new humidor scandal that we
don’t know about yet, expect these 2006 Rockies to revert back to their
historical road-weary ways. Arizona should be able to take two of three here
with no problem.
April 14-16: Houston Astros (4-2)
Probable Pitchers:
14th: Andy Pettitte at Brandon Webb
15th: Wandy Rodriguez at Claudio Vargas
16th: Taylor Buchholtz at Orlando Hernandez
Houston has come out of the gate strong, despite
expectations of a complete collapse without their Rocket. Their first two
opponents have been the Marlins and the Nationals, however, each of whom came
into the season with even lower expectations than the Astros. The big three of
Lance Berkman, Morgan Ensberg, and Preston Wilson have feasted on suspect
pitching and carried the Houston offense.
The Diamondbacks are fortunate to miss both the dominant
Roy Oswalt and the underrated Brandon Backe this series. This leaves the ‘Stros
with Andy Pettitte, who’s had one decent start and on awful start so far, Wandy
Rodriguez, who still needs to prove that he’s a major league-quality pitcher,
and Taylor Buchholz, a prospect bust from the Billy Wagner deal, starting the
final game of the series. With these favorable pitching matchups, the
Diamondbacks can expect to win this series handily.
April 17-20: San Francisco Giants (4-2)
Probable Pitchers: TBD
The Giants begin the season with a winning record, despite
opening the year against two 2005 division winners, Barry Bonds hitting under
.200, and breakout starter Nick Lowry already landing on the disabled list.
They’re winning mostly with hot starts from veterans Omar Vizquel (9-for-21,
5BB, 1K, 3SB, 0CS) and Moises Alou (7-for-20, 2 HR, 6RBI).
The Giants figure to be at their strongest early in the
season before their elderly players start to wear down, and unfortunately, the
Diamondbacks play them seven times in April. Arizona must hope that Bonds stays
cold and that Lowry’s absence throws the San Francisco rotation into disarray to
avoid a potentially tough four-game series.
Overall
The Diamondbacks should hope to finish this 10-game span
over .500 to show that they can be contenders in the early going. The Giants
look like the most worrisome team over this span, as it’s going to be difficult
to avoid Jason Schmidt, Matt Morris, and pitch around Bonds for a four-game
series. Yet the Diamondbacks’ schedule is only going to get tougher from here
on out, so they will need to take control of these very winnable games while
they can.