Arizona defeated the San Francisco Giants in two out of three games last week at AT&T Park, but could have swept them if the bullpen did their job. The Giants will look to do the same in Arizona, but they are struggling as they were just swept by the San Diego Padres.

Game 1 (Monday):

Matchup – Matt Cain (0-2, 6.59 ERA) vs. Ian Kennedy (1-2, 4.70 ERA)

This is a match up of pitchers that are looking for some consistency with their starts on the season. Kennedy pitched good his last time against the Giants, as he just allowed one run in six innings of work. Kennedy seems to be pitching like was in the 2011 season, when he won 21 games for Arizona. Kennedy has good numbers in his career against the Giants, as indicated by 6-2 record in 14 starts and 2.33 ERA.

Cain is looking for something to build on, he has struggled in each start this season, and has allowed a total 6 HR in last three starts. Cain has 8-4 record with a 4.13 ERA in 16 starts at Chase Field

Game 2 (Tuesday)

Matchup – Madison Bumgarner (3-0, 1.87 ERA) vs. Trevor Cahill (1-3, 3.00 ERA)

The match up in this game is about one starter dominating the opposition, and the other starter trying the find the command of a pitch that is vital to his success. Cahill did earn his first win of the season in his last start, but barely made it through five innings. The main reason of this is because he could not command or locate his sinker pitch at all. Cahill’s command will have to improve, to give Arizona a chance at earning a win.

Bumgarner has been the ace of the Giants pitching staff, and has shown no signs of slowing down. The main reason he has had success this season is because how effectively he has been able to locate his fastball and his secondary pitches. The control he has shown has been impeccable, as indicated by his 34 strike outs to only eight walks. He also has a 3.22 career ERA on the road.

Game 3 (Wednesday)

Matchup – Tim Lincecum (2-1, 3.64 ERA) vs. Brandon McCarthy (0-3, 7.48 ERA)

This is a match up where the Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt gets to face his favorite pitcher on the planet. He owns Lincecum in his career, as indicated by him hitting five HR in 14 at-bats. The Diamondbacks key to winning this game will rely on well McCarthy pitches in this start. He has looked good in just one start this season, but the other starts he has struggled with his command and location. Another reason why McCarthy has struggled in each start this season, is that he has given up eight hits to the opposition in each start.

Lincecum has pitched well this season, but has allowed too many free passes to the opposition. He has walked 17 batters, but he has worked around this by striking out 32 batters. Arizona will need to find a way to take advantage of this, if he struggles again with his command in this game.

The Diamondbacks are 2-1 against the Giants this season and were 9-9 against them in 2012.

With such a golden opportunity in front of them, you would think that Arizona GM Kevin Towers would do what he could to add some depth or fill in any holes to the squad at the last possible moment.

Los Angeles Dodgers GM Ned Colletti and San Francisco Giants GM Brian Sabean clearly had that in mind by adding key pieces to their puzzle. The Dodgers added Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino and the Giants added his former teammate Hunter Pence. Both players are good, and both players add significant offense to their respective teams.

That wasn’t the Dodgers first move this trade season either. Los Angeles added former batting champion Hanley Ramirez on July 25th and All-Star reliever Brandon League from Seattle last night.

Arizona has been somewhat quiet this trade season, adding third baseman Chris Johnson from Houston on Sunday, outfielder Scott Podsednik and reliever Matt Albers from Boston today.

Compared to the moves made by the other teams in the division, many would consider Arizona’s trade season as less than ideal. The names acquired and resumes clearly do not compare to the other players acquired.

So why didn’t Arizona GM Kevin Towers do more to keep pace with division rivals?

To be perfectly honest I was happy to see a tweet this morning from Ken Rosenthal indicating that Arizona was looking to make a blockbuster deal to add a premiere starter. I think that is exactly what this team is missing to be considered a serious title contender. Former 21-game winner Ian Kennedy has not pitched consistently well this season, Daniel Hudson is done for the season, and the remaining starters have not performed at the level of other premiere pitchers in the division (Cain, Lincecum, Kershaw).

Unfortunately for Towers, he wasn’t able to come to an agreement with other teams  that were shopping their reliever. With a wealth of young starting pitching in the farm system, I can understand not wanting to give up too much for a rental player for the rest of the season. It’s also worth knowing that the majority of other teams in discussion with Towers would have wanted Justin Upton included in any deal, and I personally do not believe it would have been productive to give up a player who is that good, young, with so much potential, and under team control for three more seasons for a deadline deal.

In the end I think Towers felt comfortable with the squad we are currently fielding, but I would have preferred to make a little more noise today to keep pace with the moves the other teams made. I hope it doesn’t come back to bite us in the rear.

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