I would like to see a little bit more handshaking for Cahill, as opposed to watching his struggle every start. Image: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, Cahill got the win but let’s be honest, Josh Collmenter probably should have received the accolades. Throughout the game, it seemed like Cahill has really struggling. The idea of looking uncomfortable on the mound is something that we have talked about all too often this year when referring to starting pitching. I promise this isn’t the “Bash Trevor Cahill Hour,” but he was virtually inept when it came to commanding his pitches. Whether his sinker isn’t sinking, or his mind isn’t in the right place, something has got to change. Through 30 innings this season, Cahill has given up 25 hits and walked 12 (four of those walks came last night). Cahill provided the media with this (kind of) positive take-a-way from last night.

“When things aren’t going your way, you realize how hard it is hard to win a Major League game,”. So I’ll take it any way I can get it.”

Trevor seemed to really labor in his five innings and he threw 105 pitches. The weird thing about last night was that even though T.C. was somewhat ineffective, he left the D’backs in a good spot to win the game. I guess that’s all you can ask for sometimes from your starters. That can’t happen every start, though. With the win, Cahill now is 1-3 with a 3.00 ERA.

Bob Brenly brought it up last night in saying that since the laugher against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a lot of games have been nail-biters. While this can be fun for a little, at some point I just want some relaxation in knowing that we have a lead and the bullpen won’t blow it because apparently blowing saves is really popular in the desert right now. With the offense struggling the way it is right now (except Goldy), it is important that the pitching is effective because run support isn’t exactly flourishing.

Game two of the series is tonight from Chase Field. Brandon McCarthy will go for Arizona so let’s hope he pitches nothing like he has as of late….

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Who are you and what have you done with A.J. Pollock? The young outfielder is coming off a career day against the Pirates on Wednesday.

In news that will excite Diamondbacks fans, Arizona is coming off quite an offensive showing on Wednesday against Pittsburgh and the team is 6-3. In news that will upset Diamondbacks fans, Clayton Kershaw will get the ball for LA tonight at Chase Field. Kershaw has thrown 16 straight shutout innings to begin 2013 and the D’backs plan to end that tonight. On the other side of the diamond, Patrick Corbin gets the nod for Arizona. Corbin finished 1-1 against the Dodgers last season. This match up between Arizona and LA is going to be a good one. I believe these two teams will be finishing ranked one and two in the NL West come September. The thing that scares me about tonight is that if Los Angeles can get even a little run support with Kershaw pitching, it may prove troublesome for Arizona because the lefty isn’t exactly handing out runs lately.

Aaron Hill is questionable tonight with a bruised left hand, but it’s Hilly,  so he’ll probably end up playing. I know this isn’t a whole lot of info for you, but tonight will be a good indicator of where Arizona stands against one of the more elite teams in the National League.

Some other news and notes? Although we wouldn’t have seen him in this series, Zack Greinke has been placed on the DL with an injury to his pride after trying to play linebacker against Carlos Quentin last night. No, but seriously, he broke his collarbone. Arizona finished 12-6 last season against Los Angeles and that number needs to be similar this year if the Snakes want a division title. Also, the D’backs will be giving away a “BEAT LA” shirt tonight at Chase Field. It doesn’t have an impact on the game, but I still think it’s pretty important. Looks like I’ll be up past my bedtime again: first pitch is set for 9:40 tonight.

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I don’t like seeing the Pirates shake hands after playing the Diamondbacks.

I picked the Pirates to win the NL Central but I’m not sure why I did because this team really isn’t that good. Aside from Andrew McCutchen, who is a jerk for running down every ball in the outfield, this team is nothing to write home about. (Seriously though, McCutchen is a stud in center). That being said, they are fairly gritty and Arizona should probably be taking notes on that. I think there are two reasons why the D’backs are scuffling as of late. I realize that a two-game losing streak is not scuffling but I think there are some issues that should be touched upon. The first is the inconsistency in starting pitching. Steve Berthiaume said it best last night when he continually referred to Brandon McCarthy as looking “uncomfortable” on the mound. I agree. Something has not been clicking for him out there. I’m not sure if it is related to the frightening injury he sustained last year or maybe the change of scenery to the desert, but something is off. With Trevor Cahill struggling out of the gate, it’s difficult to be confident in a team that has a shaky middle of the rotation. I think it’s fair to call it shaky right now. Wade Miley will go this afternoon for Arizona to try and right the ship a little before we have to deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Although this issue was expected this season, strikeouts are starting to pile up. This team has 61 strikeouts through eight games. what I have been noticing is that there have been a number of at-bats where players seem overly anxious at the plate. I think Gerardo Parra and Martin Prado are both guilty of trying to do too much with a certain pitch, then end up striking out. Martin Prado did have a good at-bat last night in the 9th inning, however. I think as Diamondbacks fans, we are weary of the strikeout because recent years have not been good to us. I’m looking at you, Mark Reynolds. I hate that I’m getting so frustrated watching this team right now because it is only eight games into the year, which is a relief. As fans and reporters, we learn to dissect our favorite teams and with that comes a sense of unnecessary sensitivity. One bright spot of last night was that Heath Bell had a very effective appearance. It’s a shame there were only about 900 fans at Chase Field to see it…

I had a bad feeling about these last two games because right from the first pitch, my MLB.TV coverage was really choppy and unclear on FS Arizona. Normally that spells disaster. It’s weird to say that Arizona has to salvage a game against the Pirates, but that is what has to happen today. We need to at least grab one game of the series before we play the Dodgers because it won’t get any easier. Day games during the week are pretty much my favorite thing and it would make it even sweeter if Arizona can snag a W.

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