Team didn’t play, but fans also didn’t have to watch them lose while celebrating our Fallen Heroes
Diamondbacks News
[MLB] Predicting the All-MLB Team after 2 months by Thomas Harrigan
Second Base
First team: Ketel Marte (AZ)
Second team: Jose Altuve (HOU)
Seeking his first All-MLB Team selection, Marte has posted a .275/.322/.493 slash with 10 homers over 52 games in 2024. He’s the only second baseman to reach double figures in homers this season.
[BurnCity Sports] Diamondback’s trio of relievers have solidified the back of the bullpen by Michael McDermott
Having a back end of the bullpen that consistently gets the job done night in and night out has been a luxury for Lovullo in close games. While the Diamondbacks have had recent issues scoring runs, it’s comforting knowing that a lead after six innings often will translate into a win.
[Inside the Rangers] Anticipated World Series Rematch Up Next for Texas Rangers by Art Garcia
Both teams come to Arlington with losing records, with Texas coming off a 1-5 road trip but snapped a losing streak Sunday before two Corey Seager home runs. Just seeing the Rangers and Arizona on the field together again for the first time in games that count since the Fall Classic is sure to elicit good vibes for the home team and its fans.
[MLB] 1 player each team is eager to get back from the IL by Theo DeRosa
D-backs: SP Merrill Kelly
Right shoulder strain (April 15)
A recent MRI on Kelly’s shoulder appeared to show significant healing, a good sign for the right-hander, who has been on the IL since mid-April and was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 2. Kelly has made only four starts in 2024 after helping pitch the D-backs into the 2023 World Series and should be able to help Zac Gallen and co. in Arizona’s rotation upon his return.
Spencer’s Spicy Supplement: While I understand the draw to adding a qusai-ace from the IL, it seems to me the biggest improvement overall could be from getting Perdomo/Thomas back and sliding all the fill-ins to their more appropriate positions. Nothing against Kelly at all; I’d much rather have him than Ryne Nelson. But the rotation doesn’t feel like the worst part of the team so far. To me, that’s recently the offense, and often the bullpen. Improvement to all 3 would be greatly appreciated to all but the most surly fans.
Baseball News
[MLBTR] Mariners Select Ryan Bliss by Anthony Franco
It’s the first major league call for the 24-year-old Bliss. The Diamondbacks picked the 5’7″ middle infielder in the second round of the 2021 draft out of Auburn. Bliss rebounded from a tough first full professional season with a breakout 2023 campaign. The right-handed hitter raked at a .358/.414/.594 clip with Arizona’s Double-A affiliate. He earned a call to the Futures Game last summer and was involved in a significant trade not long thereafter. The D-Backs packaged him to Seattle alongside Josh Rojas and Dominic Canzone for closer Paul Sewald.
Spencer’s Spicy Supplement: Those of us who were loath to see Bliss included in the Sewald deal finally get to see what his toolset looks like against MLB opponents! Always more of a defense-first guy, Bliss has held his own with the bat. The saving grace for Arizona fans in 2024 is that Bliss doesn’t really have a place on the roster now that Joc Pederson is the DH and Marte has become a quality defensive second baseman! Overall, I expect Arizona loses this trade when accounting for only WAR or playoff appearances, but it’s hard to quantify the impact Sewald had in 2023, even if 2024 ends up a lost year.
[MLBTR] The Opener: Hernandez, Astros Pitchers, MLBTR Chat by Leo Morgenstern
MLBTR chat today:
This past weekend brought the news of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season-ending injury and a report that teams are planning for NPB star Roki Sasaki to be posted this winter. If you have any questions about how your favorite team is playing so far, or perhaps questions that look ahead to the July 30 trade deadline or the upcoming offseason, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will host a live chat with readers today at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after it is completed.