Venom Strikes » Greg Maddux http://venomstrikes.com An Arizona Diamondbacks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More Wed, 22 May 2013 19:46:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 Time for Ian Kennedy to Pitch Like an Ace http://venomstrikes.com/2012/04/17/time-for-ian-kennedy-to-pitch-like-an-ace/ http://venomstrikes.com/2012/04/17/time-for-ian-kennedy-to-pitch-like-an-ace/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:53:22 +0000 Thomas Lynch http://venomstrikes.com/?p=3540       If there was ever a time for Ian Kennedy to pitch like the ace he was in 2011, tonight would be the night.  The Diamondbacks‘ righty faces the Pirates in game two of the current three game series.  Not that Kennedy’s first two starts have been terrible.  His record is 2-0 with a [...]

Time for Ian Kennedy to Pitch Like an Ace - Venom Strikes - Venom Strikes - An Arizona Diamondbacks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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April 12, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (31) throws during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

 
 
 
If there was ever a time for Ian Kennedy to pitch like the ace he was in 2011, tonight would be the night.  The Diamondbacks‘ righty faces the Pirates in game two of the current three game series.  Not that Kennedy’s first two starts have been terrible.  His record is 2-0 with a 2.84, pretty good stats in the young season.  He allowed only one run in six innings in his last outing vs. the Padres. 
 
 
Tonight needs to be different.  For one,  the Arizona bullpen could use a rest.  Bryan Shaw has already appeared in 6 of the squad’s 10 games.  Out of the five starters, only Joe Saunders has gone 7 innings in a single outing; in fact he has done so in both of his appearances.  Also, consider the opponent.  Pittsburgh as a team is batting a dreadful .188.  They have been out West for a full week now, having last played a home game on Easter Sunday.   The Bucs have lost 7 out of 8 so far on this trip.  Clearly, they are struggling.  The timing couldn’t be better for at least an 8 inning performance from the D-Back’s best starting pitcher.   
 
 
Kirk Gibson recently stated Kennedy was similar to Greg Maddux with respect to being always one step of the hitter.   Tonight’s game should feature him with Maddux-type numbers.  Think 9 innings, 1 walk and 8 strikeouts on a total of 93 pitches.    That will justify the skipper’s comparison to one of the game’s greatest pitchers.
 
 
 
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]]> http://venomstrikes.com/2012/04/17/time-for-ian-kennedy-to-pitch-like-an-ace/feed/ 0 Maddux Turns Dbacks Down http://venomstrikes.com/2010/09/23/maddux-turns-dbacks-down/ http://venomstrikes.com/2010/09/23/maddux-turns-dbacks-down/#comments Fri, 24 Sep 2010 03:47:20 +0000 Scott Allen http://venomstrikes.com/?p=898 Best news I've heard all week, Greg Maddux turned the Arizona Diamondbacks down for the pitching coach position today.  Obviously Maddux was a great pitcher.  There is no disputing that.  Could Maddux teach a group of young pitchers how top pitch at this level?  Absolutely.  Could he improve the Dbacks pitching staff?  Without a doubt. [...]

Maddux Turns Dbacks Down - Venom Strikes - Venom Strikes - An Arizona Diamondbacks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> 7 Jul 1998: National League member and starting pitcher Greg Maddux #31 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch during the All-Star Game at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The American League defeated the National League 13-8. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobso

Best news I've heard all week, Greg Maddux turned the Arizona Diamondbacks down for the pitching coach position today.  Obviously Maddux was a great pitcher.  There is no disputing that.  Could Maddux teach a group of young pitchers how top pitch at this level?  Absolutely.  Could he improve the Dbacks pitching staff?  Without a doubt.

So why am I happy?  Just think 1998.

1998.  The year the Arizona Diamondbacks joined Major League Baseball as an expansion team.  I remember it well, like it was yesterday.  There is one very specific issue why I bring up that specific year in relation to Maddux and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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