Free Pick: (903) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS +100
There is something noteworthy about today’s game between the Diamondbacks and Phillies. It’s very possibly the final home game for one or more veteran Phillies. The trade deadline is near, and rumors galore are swirling. Aside from that, it’s 45-59 vs. 45-59, so this is about as meaningless as it gets for a late July baseball game.
The Phillies are not losing every game, but sometimes when watching this team, it’s a wonder they don’t. I’m not saying it’s all the time, but there are just too many games where the eye test suggests these guys are mailing it in. No emotion, no fire, just 25 guys showing up for work. I can almost envision a time clock just out of camera view where the players punch in and out before and after the game.
It’s not like the Diamondbacks are any great shakes, either. There’s going to be an overhaul taking place for the Snakes as well, but it’s not as dramatic as what I think we’re about to see in Philly. But the Diamondbacks have some young guys who are now playing most everyday and I can tell you from watching most of their games, there’s some enthusiasm with this entry. That’s not translating into lots of wins, as the talent just isn’t in place right now. But I at least like the energy.
Vidal Nuno starts for the road team today, and he’s strictly back of the rotation material. But Nuno isn’t necessarily the worst starting pitcher in action at Citizens Park today, as the former Fausto Carmona will be on the mound for Philly. Trying to guess which version of Roberto Hernandez will show up is a challenge, to put it mildly. When he’s locating that sinker, Hernandez can be pretty tough. But when he loses his command, that’s a different story. Of late, Hernandez has been closer to okay than mediocre, but that means little as far as figuring out what he’ll do today.
My take is that this is as dead even as a game can be on paper. But the intangibles spell out Arizona. The DBacks got a terrific extra inning win on Saturday night, and I really feel as though the Phillies clubhouse atmosphere today could be very somber. I’ll take the team I believe is going to be more excited to play today, and that’s the Diamondbacks.
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