D'backs, done or just rattled?

[thecomic]

with the d'backs already down 8.5 games johnson going on the dl schilling missing at least one start and bautista facing what will probably be a significant suspension; are the d'backs down and out?
i would say at mininmum they've got a 'tough road to ho'
ho----> pimp----------->
blow up doll--------> blow up doll at christmas---->
michael jackson------> spike lee as mars------->
okay, i'm obviously bored

[SPTO]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

This is the danger of having an older team. They either continue playing well or they blow up like the D'Backs seem to be doing right now. Randy Johnson is having his worst season in YEARS. I remember the last time he was doing badly and it was because he was a bit wild with his Fastball and such. Nolan Ryan had to teach him how to control his pitches more. I don't think this is the case now. I think age might finally be catching up to him. As for Schilling I think he'll get better seems the appendix problem could be a part of why he struggled early on.

BTW the D'Backs were never a huge offensive team and to add the struggles of this mostly aging ball club that's not a good sign.

[SPTO]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

This is the danger of having an older team. They either continue playing well or they blow up like the D'Backs seem to be doing right now. Randy Johnson is having his worst season in YEARS. I remember the last time he was doing badly and it was because he was a bit wild with his Fastball and such. Nolan Ryan had to teach him how to control his pitches more. I don't think this is the case now. I think age might finally be catching up to him. As for Schilling I think he'll get better seems the appendix problem could be a part of why he struggled early on.

BTW the D'Backs were never a huge offensive team and to add the struggles of this mostly aging ball club that's not a good sign.

[caliph79]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

They still did lead the NL in runs last year with the same lineup. I get to watch a lot of DBacks baseball here in Phx and I'm not worried. I think RJ's trouble is not being able to put pressure on that knee. Everyone keeps saying how old we are but forget to mention some of the younger starting position players.
Spivey has talented and could be become a consistent .300 20hr 80rbi guy
Chad Moeller is showing he can handle the stick.
Kim is only 24 and can end up being a 15 win starter
Overbay has hit and hit well in every level.
Danny Bautista with a full season can put up good numbers.
Oscar Villareal 21 and is showing poise to be big league pitcher.
We also have some good players down in the minors.

They dug themselves in a hole but o well. They've gone through stretches like this before just not in the first month.

They will still contend. Until both Johnson and Schilling are out for the year, I wouldn't count the out.

[caliph79]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

They still did lead the NL in runs last year with the same lineup. I get to watch a lot of DBacks baseball here in Phx and I'm not worried. I think RJ's trouble is not being able to put pressure on that knee. Everyone keeps saying how old we are but forget to mention some of the younger starting position players.
Spivey has talented and could be become a consistent .300 20hr 80rbi guy
Chad Moeller is showing he can handle the stick.
Kim is only 24 and can end up being a 15 win starter
Overbay has hit and hit well in every level.
Danny Bautista with a full season can put up good numbers.
Oscar Villareal 21 and is showing poise to be big league pitcher.
We also have some good players down in the minors.

They dug themselves in a hole but o well. They've gone through stretches like this before just not in the first month.

They will still contend. Until both Johnson and Schilling are out for the year, I wouldn't count the out.

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

The problem I see for the D'Backs is keeping their heads above water while Johnson, Schilling, and Batista are out. Considering how well the Giants have been playing, this will not be an easy task.

And then they have to not only make a significant turn-around, but they have to hope that the Giants hit a tough stretch at some point.

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

The problem I see for the D'Backs is keeping their heads above water while Johnson, Schilling, and Batista are out. Considering how well the Giants have been playing, this will not be an easy task.

And then they have to not only make a significant turn-around, but they have to hope that the Giants hit a tough stretch at some point.

[Fetter21]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

I'll say they're still in it, since I don't think the Dodgers are out yet, and the D-backs are only a game worse than the Dodgers. Sure Arizona got off to a really bad start, but they're back to .500 in their last 10 games. I think all the NL West teams will start to pick it up a little (other than the Giants, they can't be doing much better than they already are) now that they'll be playing non-division games. Sure they'll need to get back to playing great baseball if they want to stay in it, they've got ground to make up, but they also have the talent to do it. It's a long season, so as long as they play well from here on out the begining doesn't really matter.

[Fetter21]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

I'll say they're still in it, since I don't think the Dodgers are out yet, and the D-backs are only a game worse than the Dodgers. Sure Arizona got off to a really bad start, but they're back to .500 in their last 10 games. I think all the NL West teams will start to pick it up a little (other than the Giants, they can't be doing much better than they already are) now that they'll be playing non-division games. Sure they'll need to get back to playing great baseball if they want to stay in it, they've got ground to make up, but they also have the talent to do it. It's a long season, so as long as they play well from here on out the begining doesn't really matter.

[caliph79]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
The problem I see for the D'Backs is keeping their heads above water while Johnson, Schilling, and Batista are out. Considering how well the Giants have been playing, this will not be an easy task.

And then they have to not only make a significant turn-around, but they have to hope that the Giants hit a tough stretch at some point.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Yeah the Giants are definately loaded and will most likely be the team to beat in the NL. I'm still not convinced their pitching will take them all the way but I wouldn't mind having their staff. They have one of the most complete TEAMS i've seen in years.

We'll see as the season goes along but i'm not too worried about the slow start. I've watched just about every game they've played and they're definitely not that bad.

[caliph79]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
The problem I see for the D'Backs is keeping their heads above water while Johnson, Schilling, and Batista are out. Considering how well the Giants have been playing, this will not be an easy task.

And then they have to not only make a significant turn-around, but they have to hope that the Giants hit a tough stretch at some point.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Yeah the Giants are definately loaded and will most likely be the team to beat in the NL. I'm still not convinced their pitching will take them all the way but I wouldn't mind having their staff. They have one of the most complete TEAMS i've seen in years.

We'll see as the season goes along but i'm not too worried about the slow start. I've watched just about every game they've played and they're definitely not that bad.

[GameDude]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

It'll be very difficult to make up the ground that they've lost to the Giants, but I don't think they'll have to win the division to get into the playoffs. I think the West is the best division in the NL, and will beat up on the teams in the other divisions like they have the last couple years. The Dbacks will have a good chance to at least get a wild card bid.

[GameDude]

Re: D\'backs, done or just rattled?

It'll be very difficult to make up the ground that they've lost to the Giants, but I don't think they'll have to win the division to get into the playoffs. I think the West is the best division in the NL, and will beat up on the teams in the other divisions like they have the last couple years. The Dbacks will have a good chance to at least get a wild card bid.