Series Preview
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Series Preview: Diamondbacks v. Dodgers
*PREVIEW: ARI v. LAD - The first few weeks of the year are supposed to be a feeling-out period. Maybe that would be the case if the Diamondbacks (1-2) were facing inter-divisional opponents or had made wholesale changes to their lineup. But heading into a weekend series with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers (2-2), the 2009 season feels more like a continuation of 2008 than a fresh start.
The Snakes' biggest changes among regulars are the substitution of Felipe Lopez for Orlando Hudson (who missed much of the second half due to injury) and the departure of short-timer Adam Dunn. Otherwise, Arizona looks much the same in the field. Since modifications to the batting order are par for the course under Bob Melvin, it doesn't feel especially odd to see Lopez leading off or Justin Upton batting eighth. It's been awhile since we witnessed Chad Tracy at 3B or Eric Byrnes in the outfield, but those sights are not unfamiliar.
It's a similar story in Los Angeles. After the...
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Series Preview: Diamondbacks @ Astros
* PREVIEW: ARI @ HOU -- This evening, Arizona opens a three-game road series against the Astros, who roll into the weekend having won seven games in a row. Wins are wins, but the streak is less impressive considering it came in consecutive series sweeps against the Reds (53-68) and Giants (50-70). Our boys should put up more of a fight than those Sisters of the Poor, especially with Brandon Webb and Randy Johnson expected to take the mound in the series. In their meeting at Chase Field from April 28-30, the Diamondbacks took two of three from Houston.
* MATH CLASS -- The Astros have the same record as Arizona at 62-59, but they have been outscored 555-576 on the season. based on the Pythagorean expectation formula developed by Bill James to translate run differential into wins and losses, the 'Stros should be 58-63 on the year. With 549 runs scored to 526 runs allowed, the Diamondbacks project to a record of 63-58. Fans will remember that Arizona won the NL West last year...
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