Brandon Webb

5 spot.)

4-Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Jon Garland, Doug Davis, and Max Scherzer. 

It's always a pleasure to have two aces, and that's what Arizona has here in Webb and Haren. However, Haren had a fine year statistically in '08, but I detected a little deterioration in his stuff. Look out for that this season. Regardless, he should still be good for 15 wins in the offensively-challenged National League West.

Continue reading "MLB's Top Five Starting Rotations"

Plus, Brandon Webb was going for his twentieth win, so even more fans were there than usual, I'd bet.

As seems to be typical with California fans (at least from my experience at Dodger Stadium), the Pad fans arrived late and left early. But by the time the third inning rolled around, most of the lower sections were fairly full, as were the upper sections closer to home. In the distance behind the stadium, we could see a condo building my dad had seen on TV, where the residents of one apartment, clearly D-backs fans, had lights arranged for certain key phrases. "Go D-Backs" was always lit, and (in honor of color commentator Mark Grace) they flashed "CAR" whenever there was a pause in the action.

Continue reading "A Night at PETCO"

As it was, the game taxed pitchers like Brandon Webb (who had pitched seven innings and 108 pitches two days before), George Sherrill (the Orioles’ closer, who pitched two and a third innings), and Scott Kazmir (who had also pitched on Sunday, logging six innings and 104 pitches). Webb and Kazmir weren’t supposed to appear at all, with Tampa manager Joe Maddon specifically requesting that Kaz rest his arm, and we have yet to see what the effects might be on them, or guys like Carlos Marmol, who threw an inning in spite of recent struggles and a strong need for rest.

Continue reading "Six Extra Innings of Meaning"

wo choices, Sheets and Edinson Volquez, as everyone else who deserved to be there (Tim Lincecum and Brandon Webb) both threw lastnight. Volquez was eliminated by his manager Dusty Baker as he threw over 120 pitches Saturday. (Hopefully Lincecum, Webb, and Volquez can all get an inning of work and showcase their talents). So that left Sheets as the starter, and he was the right guy to get the nod.

Continue reading "Cliff Lee vs Ben Sheets"

being injured a lot of last season).  This team also has a very scary starting rotation.  Brandon Webb is a perennial CY Young candidate, they brought in Dan Haren (who should be even better in the NL) and they hope Randy Johnson can stay healthy (he was having a very good year before injuring his back).  Their bullpen is the only question mark to me.  Brandon Lyon is a solid closer and they have some young talent but they lack the experience.  This team should be right back in the hunt for the division crown again this season.

Continue reading "Part III: NL West"