Game of the Week: June 5: ARI @ SF

[Commissioner Erick]

Arizona Diamondbacks (32-26) @ San Francisco Giants (24-35)


ARI: Jake Odorizzi (4-5, 5.06)
SF: Cobi Johnson (6-5, 4.07)


After tying for the National League West lead last season, the D-Backs and Giants have gone in different directions this year. San Francisco will try to slow a stretch where they've lost 24 of 36 when they face the defending champion Arizona Diamondbacks.

San Francisco's 2022 surprise season was fueled by good pitching and some breakout performances. This year, the pitching is 10th in the league and the stars that fueled 2022 have flamed out this year. Shane Benes may not hit half the 31 home runs he clubbed last year, and his .300 average has fallen to .250 in 2023. Rafael Jimenez is hitting .166 as one of the worst performers in baseball this year. Yoenis Cespedes clubbed 35 home runs a year ago and has played just 17 games this year. Even imports like Orlando Arcia are struggling to produce at the clips they did on other teams.

Meanwhile, Arizona has rebounded from an early May swoon. After rallying from three down in the ninth with an Alex Destino walk-off single to beat the Nationals on March 14, Arizona has peeled off wins in 14 of their last 19 games to get within 1.5 games of the Dodgers. To catch them they'll have to weather some injures. Ryan Johnson's brought a good amount of power to the club, but will have to deal with a herniated disk that will see him miss a week. Meanwhile, Quentin Holmes sprained his knee and is day-to-day for a week. With Greg Allen traded in the offseason, Arizona could be without its entire championship outfield from 2022.


Questions for the GMs:


For Arlo Zimmerman, Holmes and Johnson are both nicked up. What changes will we see to your lineup as a result?

How have you managed to maintain easily the best Zone Rating in the league despite letting go of Greg Allen?

After a hot start, Doorbell Gestoso has cooled off on May. What have you seen from him that's changed?

For Dave Twibell, with your team struggling now, have you shifted your goals for the rest of the season?

Arizona has a tremendous defense. Will that affect your lineup choices at all?

Jimenez has such a promising future and was a huge reason for the success you achieved last year. Still, with how he's hitting, are there any thoughts of getting him out of the lineup?



TRIVIA: Who are the only two pitchers for the United States National Team to throw a Complete Game?

[Arizona Arlo]

The time off for Holmes and Johnson gives Cole Turney, who has been tearing up AAA, a chance for some ABs in the bigs and also give Lundquist the playing time he has earned this season.

It ain't me maintaining the Zone . . . its all those guys who wouldn't be on the team if they didn't meet my minimum standards.

As for doorbell, I think all of this hype is kind of going to his head and he is not practicing his normal plate discipline . . . swinging for the fences instead of staying within his game. I stuck Turney into the leadoff role and dropped Juan to 3rd, which might exacerbate the problem, but we will see.

[Commissioner Erick]

Giants 2 - Diamondbacks 0


WP: C. Johnson (7-5)
LP: J. Odorizzi (4-6)
SV: R. Gomez (2)


It was a fun time at AT&T Park, where the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants tangled.

San Francisco right-hander Cobi Johnson pitched his team to victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park. The final score was 2-0. Today's win puts San Francisco at 25-35, while Arizona falls to 32-27.

Arizona had a runner on 1st in the top of the ninth. With no one out, Garrett Stubbs came to bat, hoping to do some damage. Instead, he hit into a double play. The score remained 2-0, San Francisco. The Diamondbacks saw their comeback bid fail.


Questions for the GMs:

For Arlo Zimmerman, Cole Turner and Casey Soltis started for you at the outfield corners. How did they look to you out there?

Garrett Stubbs struck out with the bases loaded, committed an error, and struck out twice, dropping his average to .161. What's been the cause of his struggles?

Juan Gil got a start for you, going 1-4 as a designated hitter. What role does he have on your club?

For Dave Twibell, Cobi Johnson had allowed five runs or more in his last three starts. How was he able to right the ship?

Your club struggled against an extreme fly ball pitcher in Odorizzi at home. Is that something you've noticed your team struggling with, hitting at home against fly ball guys?

Juan Pie doubled to center field to bring home a run. Looking at his spray chart, he's hit a lot of balls to center field though that have been caught. Would you like to see him continue that approach or could he stand to pull the ball more?


TRIVIA: Which player who has played the majority of games at Center Fielder has the most doubles in Giants history?

[Arizona Arlo]

Not saying I was happy to have two OFs out of action, but it was good to get an opportunity to take a look at Cole Turner, who I think has a chance to be an important part of the AZ bench in the future. Casey Soltis, on the other hand, is a work in progress. I had to put somebody out there and I thought it would give Casey an opportunity to flash that bat around, but he failed to make contact. He is now back in AAA and I'm probably going to test him at 1b (the world needs another ne'er-do-well 1b, don't you think?).

I have to admit, I made a big mistake when I traded for Stubbs. I made an even bigger mistake in arbitration thinking the arbitrator would go with the team's offer. AZ can't afford to just dump him, so we have to get what we can out of him. He will not be offered arbitration again. If I have to, I'll go forward with Maxwell and Jolly who at least provide great D.

Yeah, Juan Gil is NOT a DH . . . he is here because of that golden glove at SS and 3B. He and Cal Conley may be the first pair of bench players to enter the hall of fame as a duo in a couple decades! I wish I could find a couple of OFs who could give me that kind of security.

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: Madison Bumgarner and Jacob deGrom

TRIVIA 2: Austin Slater