Bold prediction: the D-backs will lose a season-low number of games this month…
The final series of the MLB season start around the country, and the play-off situation is almost set. The Giants’ magic number is two to clinch the West; they host the Padres, while the Dodgers host the Brewers [Fun fact: the Padres are almost as close to the D-backs, 28 games up, as they are to the Giants, 27 games back. WHERE’S YOUR SWAG CHAIN NOW, MANNY!] But it looks likely to be the Cardinals at the Dodgers, with the winner going to the Giants; in the other Division Series, the Brewers will host the Braves. In the American League, the Rays await the wild-card winner, while the Astros and White Sox face off, probably Houston having the advantage.
Ah, yes: the American wild-card winner. The Yankees have a two-game edge for the first spot. They are playing the Rays, but Tampa do have nothing to fight for. The Red Sox and Mariners are level at 89-70, with the Blue Jays on 88-71. Toronto does have the easiest task, hosting the Orioles – though Boston, who dropped two of three to Baltimore, might feel otherwise. The Red Sox host the Mariners, while the Mariners face the Angels in Seattle. Naturally, I am hoping for the greatest degree of chaos and carnage possible. A four-way tie, with all the candidates ending on 91-71, would seem about ideal. And if the D-backs could get the #1 pick as well, that’d be super…
Torey Lovullo notes
Geraldo Perdomo’ Defense :
- He showed up as a very good defender.
- He just has an innate ability to move the baseball under control with great footwork, arm strength, and accuracy with his throws.
- He plays the game out there like he is well beyond his 21 years.
- He understands the spacing, understands the clock, and is making plays comfortably and easily
- [Taking control on [opups] When that ball goes up everyone is looking at the ball, I’m looking at the fielder. I want to see their activity, I want to see their movements. I want to see who wants that baseball. I’ve described those types of players as having a nose for the baseball – he certainly fits into that category
Humberto Castellanos: He’s come in here with each start…..to get through 5 innings. ”He’s a pitch mixer, we want to see him aggressively attack the zone with all 4 pitches from the first pitch on. Castellanos has made 6 starts, gone 5 IP or more in 4 of them, throwing 28.1 IP (4.7 IP per start) with a 4.76 ERA as a starter, and a .287/.347/.500 triple slash against for a .847 OPS
Tyler Gilbert: Speaking up early helped avoid a more serious injury, but he was already feeling it his last couple of starts. Torey feels he will be ready for spring training, but he’s not been throwing recently. Torey still sees him as a starting pitcher as of this moment.