Diamondbacks pitcher Joe Saunders throw a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring game at Chase Field. Saunders did not figure in Wednesday's decision despite throwing seven shutout innings against the San Diego Padres. (Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE)

The Diamondbacks wasted a gem of an effort from pitcher Joe Saunders, who was making his regular season debut.  Saunders threw seven innings of shutout baseball, allowing just four hits, walking two and striking out four.  Again the Diamondbacks started strong, scoring the lone run of the game in the first inning after Padre starter Cory Luebke walked in a run after walking the bases loaded.

Willie Bloomquist was the lone bright spot for the team, going two for four with a run scored and a walk.  Bloomquist is hitting a stellar .389 on the season in place of the injured Stephen Drew.  This is overshadowed by the starting slump star Justin Upton in stuck in.  Upton so far this season is hitting an underwhelming .167 to start the season, with a .450 OBP and a .250 slugging percentage.

Some of it has to be due to the injury Upton sustained in the last game of the Giants series, the injury which kept him from starting the first game against the Padres.  One thing is for sure, the Diamondbacks success is directly tied to Upton’s success.  Do not be fooled by the early season success, because if Upton is unable to perform at the level the team is expecting him to, the whole lineup will suffer.

The Diamondbacks will need him to find his stroke, granted they have a little time with the early success of Bloomquist and Chris Young, but Upton will have to get things going to put this team in a position to defend its National League West title.

UP NEXT: The Diamondbacks finish off the series in San Diego by sending ace Ian Kennedy to the mound to face the Padres Anthony Bass to try and win the series.  First pitch is at 10:05 pm EST.

Arizona pitcher Trevor Cahill delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in a spring game. Cahill will make his regular season debut for the Diamondbacks Monday in San Diego against the Padres. (Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE)

Cahill had a decent spring, going 0-3 in five games this spring with a 4.86 ERA giving up five home runs, walking five batters, and struck out 16 batters.  Cahill will be hoping his first start goes better than his spring, but he should do fine considering he will be facing the Padres.

The Padres are hitting a dismal .188, a .314 on base percentage, and a .281 slugging percentage.  They put up these stats against fellow division rival Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Padres will be hard pressed to do much better against the pitching staff of the D-backs.  Not only will they face Cahill, but Joe Saunders and Opening Day starter Ian Kennedy.

One thing is for sure if the Diamondbacks keep getting offensive support from Chris Young, Ryan Roberts, Paul Goldschmidt, and Lyle Overbay, it would not be a stretch to see them play in the Fall Classic.  One thing I have been impressed with is Young’s discipline at the plate.  The changes in the offseason seem to be paying off, but it is still early in the season, however the stats are encouraging.

The bullpen also stepped up and were lights out against the Giants.  J.J. Putz had two saves and Bryan Shaw had another save after Putz rested during the third game.

The Padres will start Volquez, Cory Luebke, and a pitcher to be determined.  Volquez started the first game against the Dodgers and did not have his best stuff losing the game and posting a 3.60 ERA.  The Padres need Volquez to have a monster year if they are going to be in contention for anything this season.

Luebke will start his second game of the year after losing to the Dodgers with a 9.64 ERA.  Needless to say the Padres strength is not its pitching.  The offense has struggled in four games as well.

The Diamondbacks have the back-end of its rotation coming up and they should dominate the Padres hitters.  Arizona’s offense is humming, especially after the six-run comeback on Sunday.  I don’t see the Padres winning any of the games, although I think their best shot is with Volquez on the mound.  I see the D-backs winning at least two out of three, but also with a good shot at starting the season 6-0.

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