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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Tags: Adam Dunn, Bob Melvin, Boston Red Sox, Brad Penny, Brandon Webb, Cactus League, Chad Tracy, Colorado Rockies, Derek Lowe, Dr. James Andrews, Eric Byrnes, Felipe Lopez, Hong-Chih Kuo, James McDonald, Jon Garland, Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Ramirez, Rafael Furcal, Randy Johnson, Randy Wolf, Stephen Drew, Takashi Saito, Yusmeiro Petit