Who knew I’d be rooting for Edwin Jackson again after his disappointing performance for the D-backs in his stint in Arizona? Image: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

I am betting that the Arizona Cardinals’ 4-0 start has distracted many Arizona fans from the disappointment of the D-backs’ season; but still, having a team, or individual players, to root for in the playoffs makes watching the playoffs sans the D-backs a tad more fun.

For me, I mostly root for NL teams once the D-backs are eliminated. I’m betting I’m not alone in that. So, who should D-backs fans root for out of the Giants, Reds, Cardinals, Nationals and Braves?

Obviously, the Giants are out. I mean, at least it’s not the Dodgers, but I can never bring myself to rooting for the Giants. I’d say the Cardinals are out. They won the series last year and I can’t imagine the hyperbole if they win again without Albert Pujols. So they’re out.

That leaves the Braves, Nationals and Reds. I could see rooting for the Braves. It is Chipper Jones’ swan song and it would be fun to see him make a run in his last year. But for me, I’ve also seen how the guy tweets (@RealCJ10), and I don’t want any of that in the World Series. Seriously, it’s like he has taken every single baseball cliché and smashed it into a single Twitter handle. I thought that was John Kruk’s job.

So that leaves the Reds and Nationals. I was having a hard time deciding between these two teams until I remembered Mat Latos pitched for the Reds. I  HATE that guy! Nats all the way! Okay, maybe that is purely personal feelings but I don’t care; because, if you DON’T hate that guy, you should!

Besides, the Nationals are just a fun story. They are built for a few years from now probably but their pitching is just way too good and it accelerated their time table. Yes, Stephen Strasburg is not pitching in the playoffs (how asinine is that?), but they still have Jordan Zimmerman, Gio Gonzalez and surprisingly effective Edwin Jackson.

It would just be fun to watch them make a run to the series. Especially if the Orioles provide the second-biggest shock of the season (besides them actually making the playoffs), and meet the Nationals in the World Series. Can you imagine the hysteria in that part of the country? That would just be too much fun to NOT root for it. So, hop on the Nationals bandwagon and get some of the NATitude. On second thought, don’t use the word NATitude. Please. Seriously, stop saying it!

Other guys to root for: Ryan Roberts with the Rays and Jarrod Parker and Ryan Clark of the A’s. Obviously, all three guys were Diamondbacks at one point and I would like to see all of them succeed in the postseason.

After an impressive first half of the season which saw him go 9-5 with a 3.04 ERA, Arizona starter Wade Miley was selected to represent Arizona in the 2012 All-Star game. The Arizona rookie, who was not even in the starting rotation to begin the season, jumped at the opportunity to display his talent against the league’s elite.

Miley got that opportunity in the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s midsummer classic. With an 8-0 lead, Miley was called upon in the bottom of the ninth inning to help secure the shutout. After giving up a leadoff single to Minnesota star Joe Mauer, Miley was able to get Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus to ground into a fielder’s choice to Chicago Cub shortstop Starling Castro. That would be the only out that Miley would record, as he was replaced by Pittsburgh reliever Joel Hanrahan.

For Miley, it was an experience that he will never forget. The opportunity to represent his organization, pick the brains of other elite pitchers such as Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels, and establishing a friendship with boyhood hero Chipper Jones, in his last season as a big leaguer.

Arizona Diamondbacks Triple-A prospect Tyler Skaggs was another player who had the opportunity to represent the organization during All-Star weekend, as the Reno Ace starter was a late addition to the Futures Game on Sunday evening. Skaggs, who started the Futures Game last year, was asked to join the squad when Arizona starter Trevor Bauer was called up to the big league squad a few weeks ago.

This season, Skaggs is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA with Triple-A Reno, after going 5-4 with a 2.84 ERA in 13 starts with Double-A Mobile. Skaggs tossed a scoreless fifth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one hitter in aiding the U.S. team to a 17-5 victory over the World team.

Opposite Skaggs on the World Team was Arizona Double-A prospect Alfredo Marte, who started in left field for the World Team. Marte, who is hitting .295 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs in 66 games in Double-A Mobile this season, went 0-3 in the game, including a fifth-inning fly out against fellow Arizona prospect Skaggs.

Atlanta got off to a quick start on Wednesday night as Jason Heyward led off the offensive strike with a solo home run to right-center field to give the Braves a 1-0 lead in the botom of the first.

The offense would remain stagnant until the bottom of the fifth inning when Andrelton Simmons grounded into a fielder’s choice to the pitcher, scoring Chipper Jones on a throwing error by Trevor Cahill. They would add another run when Michael Bourn hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Freddie Freeman. Simmons would then score on a sacrifice fly by Martin Prado, putting the Braves up 4-0.

June 27, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Ryan Roberts (14) celebrates with second baseman Aaron Hill (2) after a three run home run in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

The Braves would add a couple more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning by a two-run home run by Jones.

The Arizona offense would come to life in the top of the seventh inning when Ryan Roberts hit a three run home run to left field, plating Miguel Montero and Aaron Hill. Chris Young would add a solo home run later in the inning to decrease the D-backs deficit to 4-6.

Unfortunately the comeback would not be enough, as Craig Kimbrell would come in to close the door for the Braves, earning his 22nd save of the season.

Cahill was able to go five innings, allowing four hits, four walks, and four earned runs to earn his sixth loss of the season.

Trevor Bauer will make his much anticipated MLB debut tomorrow night as the D-backs hope to avoid the sweep in Atlanta.