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Series 37 Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks at Cleveland Guardians

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Series 37 Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks at Cleveland Guardians


Arizona and Cleveland. Two teams that just roll off the tongue together, no? Really? Not for you? Strange.

Cleveland made some waves in 2022, winning the AL Central, reaching Game 5 of the ALDS, having defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card. They stretched the Yankees to the limit as well, but a young team fell short. Hopes were high for 2023 and…were not met. Now another year removed, they look to replicate and surpass those 2022 highs. They enter the series with the best record in baseball. They have an offense that is terrifying when it all comes together (which it often does). They have an established pitching factory that seemingly creates effective arms (both starting and relief) at will. They have a World Class Closer in Clase. An MVP candidate in Jose Ramirez. A better version of Luis Arraez in Steven Kwan. And a true-rookie manager well on his way to unanimously winning AL Manager of the Year in Stephen Vogt.

Arizona meanwhile is experiencing a season of ups and downs. Expectations were high entering 2024, and have not been met, but contention is still occurring. Despite atrocious results from Jordan Montgomery, no results from Eduardo Rodriguez, and a sophomore slump of epic proportions the team currently holds the final NL Wild Card and even has a tiny amount of breathing room. ERod is likely to return this series. Brandon Pfaadt and Zac Gallen get to pitch on either side of him. Suarez might be slowing down after a torrid July, but Ketel appears to be picking back up in his own MVP race.

This series could end up being a precursor for a World Series! One I would be able to experience in person here in Ohio! It could also end up a footnote in two otherwise forgotten seasons. But in the moment, the stakes are high for both teams.

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Monday 8/5/2024 at 3:40pm Arizona Time in Progressive Field: Zac Gallen (9-5, 3.56 ERA, 93.2 IP, 92 K) vs. Logan Allen (8-4, 5.67 ERA, 87.1 IP, 76 K)

This Logan Allen is the one some people got very excited about last winter when we collected the other one. His 2024 has not been as exciting as 2023 was, but he’s been working some stuff out in Columbus for Cleveland’s AAA affiliate since July 7. He’s been far better in the capitol of Ohio, but against lesser opponents than Arizona.

Gallen meanwhile has posted fairly good starts recently when you check the box score, but has struggled and worked hard to reach those results. Unfortunately the last 4 teams he’s faced have been: Toronto, Chicago North, Pittsburgh and Washington. While none are pushovers exactly in 2024, none are pinnacles of excellence either. Against an offense like Cleveland’s, his could be another rough outing. But if anyone is going to break through in a big way against a team that we don’t expect, it’s totally Gallen right?

Scales tip toward Cleveland in the opener, but it could be closer to a draw!

Tuesday 8/6/2024 at 3:40pm Arizona Time in Progressive Field: TBD – Likely Eduardo Rodriguez (Season Debut?) vs. Ben Lively (10-6, 3.42 ERA, 105.1 IP, 90 K)

Game two is a weird game. It’s looking to be the season debut of Eduardo Rodriguez for Arizona. He’s the first big rotation free agency splurge for Mike Hazen of last winter, but he’s been on the shelf the whole season with “minor” injuries that keep delaying him. What to expect from him is a fools prospect as he entered free agency after a career year and is basically made of bubble gum and hopes. To say nothing of the lack of a rehab stint with any minor league affiliates…

The offense may need to bail him out against Ben Lively, which could be a tall order. He has been sharp for a team on a season-long roll. Just before the All Star Break, he had a hiccup of allowing 6ER against Detroit over 5.1 innings. But that was mid-slide for Cleveland and he met one of the hottest teams in MLB at the time in the Tigers. He hasn’t gone less than 5 full innings since June 16. His opposing teams over that stretch aren’t the most impressive, but baseball is all about timing as well. He will look to continue his stretch of solidly providing his team with a chance to win.

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Scales tip toward Cleveland pretty heavily here. Who knows what sort of Rodriguez Arizona will get (dare we ask ….if? still at this point). And in Lively, the offense could have a gritty starter to really work at bats against.

Wednesday 8/7/2024 at 11:10am Arizona Time in Progressive Field: Brandon Pfaadt (5-6, 3.97 ERA, 131.1 IP, 118 K) vs. Carlos Carrasco (3-9, 5.53 ERA, 99.1 IP, 84 K)

On paper at least, this game feels the most obtainable for Arizona. On the mound you have Pfaadt who has fairly easily been the ace of the staff in 2024. He hasn’t taken a loss since June 19 and he has a single game all season where he went less than 5 innings (July 6 in San Diego – 4.1 IP). On top of being a work horse, he has put up solid production as well. Not too shabby for the former top prospect many were ready to trade about 12 months ago!

On the reverse side is Carrasco… The veteran who may lose his rotation spot to trade deadline acquisitions soon. He has been a healthy enough arm for Cleveland to “rely” on in 2024, but that’s about where the good ends. He is coming off an impressive start against Baltimore, but that ended a streak of 3 consecutive losses for him. And he still only went 4.1 innings. For a 37 year-old, it’s not too horrid. But for a team with eyes on ending the longest active World Series draught in baseball, he’s not cutting it.

Scales favor Arizona here.

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2026 NFL draft: 3 potential trades back from No. 3 for Arizona Cardinals

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2026 NFL draft: 3 potential trades back from No. 3 for Arizona Cardinals



Since the Arizona Cardinals want to trade back from the No. 3 picks, here are three deals that could work.

The Arizona Cardinals have the third pick in the 2026 NFL draft, which begins this week on Thursday. All the reports coming out are saying that they want to trade out of the pick to acquire more draft picks.

But what does a trade look like and who could be involved?

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The Kansas City Chiefs are involved in talks at some level. ESPN’s Adam Schefter expects trade talks to heat up this week.

NFL teams use a variation of a trade value chart when it comes to draft picks. Now, what a team actually is willing to give up can be influenced by potential competition with other teams, but we can’t count on that.

Here is the general trade value chart teams use.

Here are some potential deals that could be done.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have two first-round picks, which would be appealing to the Cardinals, who reportedly want to make a move for quarterback Ty Simpson, and the 29th pick might be just the spot to get him.

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The third overall pick is worth 514 points.

The Chiefs’ picks at No. 9 (387 points) and No. 29 (202 points) together are worth 589.

To make up the difference, the Cardinals could give up No. 65 (78 points) for a total of 592 points.

One deal could be:

  • Cardinals receive get No. 9 and No. 29 (589 points)
  • Chiefs receive No. 3 and No. 65 (592 points)

Another could be:

  • Cardinals receive No. 9, No. 29, No. 74 and 2027 third-round pick (653 points + value of future third-round pick, which is 36-78 points)
  • Chiefs receive No. 3 and No. 34 (689 points)

The Cardinals keep their third-round pick and the Chiefs essentially move back five spots from No. 29.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have the 12th and 20th picks but no pick in the second round.

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Pick No. 12 is 347 points and No. 20 is 269 for a total of 616.

This deal is close:

  • Cardinals receive No. 12, No. 20 (616 points)
  • Cowboys receive No. 3, No. 65 (592 points)

New Orleans Saints

The Saints are perhaps a dark horse to move up, although they do not have two first-round picks. They have the No. 8 pick, worth 406 points. Their second-round pick, at No. 42, is worth 142 points.

This deal could work:

  • Cardinals receive No. 8, No. 42 (548 points)
  • Saints receive No. 3, No. 104 (547 points)

Then the Cardinals could use their two second-round picks to then move back into Round 1 to get Ty Simpson.

They could trade No. 34, No. 42 and No. 65 (395 points) for No. 28, No. 38 and No. 106 (398 total points).

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Dust returns to Phoenix area after hazy weekend – KTAR.com

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Dust returns to Phoenix area after hazy weekend – KTAR.com


PHOENIX — Breezy winds kicked up a blanket of dust across the Valley on Sunday, and forecasters say more is on the way this week.

Visibility in Phoenix became so bad on Sunday that Sky Harbor airport stopped flights for over an hour

The wind and dust peaked Sunday afternoon and gradually improved into the evening, said Michael Graves, an air quality meteorologist with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

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“You might’ve seen the mountains a bit obscured in the distance,” Graves told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday. “A lot of haze in the air.”

By Monday morning, skies had largely cleared and dust levels near the ground had dropped significantly.

Expect more gusty, dusty days this week

The relief may be short-lived.

ADEQ is watching for increased afternoon breezes Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, this time from the west and southwest. Though the winds are expected to be weaker than Sunday’s, Graves said forecasters cannot rule out dust.

“I wouldn’t say windstorm,” Graves said. “I would just say we’ve got some waves coming in. They’re going to increase our afternoon breeziness.”

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It’s enough to kick up dry, exposed dirt, which could create pockets of dust. There is a slight chance of broader regional dust transport, Graves said.

It will impact people with asthma, COPD or respiratory conditions the most. Graves advised those with issues to monitor conditions and stay indoors during the dustiest hours.

“If you’re going to be outside, be outside during the times when it’s less dusty or hazy,” Graves said.

Graves noted that spring weather systems typically pass to the north of the Phoenix area, delivering wind and slight temperature drops but little to no rain, a pattern likely to continue.

KTAR News reporter Kellen Shover contributed to this report.

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Trying to beat the heat: Addressing rising temperatures in Southern Arizona

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Trying to beat the heat: Addressing rising temperatures in Southern Arizona


The University of Arizona and Tucson are known for yearlong warm weather, but when is it too much? With temperature reaching record highs in March, the city of Tucson has already reported increased temperatures for this year. 

In the wake of the third annual Southern Arizona Heat Summit, integrating voices throughout the City of Tucson, community stakeholders and experts from UA gather to speak about possible solutions and policies to address rising temperatures and extreme heat. 

The summit strives to ensure that the lived experiences of Southern Arizona residents are voiced. The first summit commenced in 2024, in response to the declaration of an extreme heat emergency in Arizona by Gov. Katie Hobbs, as part of a larger plan called Arizona’s Extreme Heat Response Plan. 

With representation from organizations such as the American Red Cross, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, Arizona Jobs with Justice, Tucson Indian Center and many more, the summit emphasized the importance of the perspective and concerns of stakeholder groups throughout the community. 

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The summit included a variety of UA experts, including faculty representing the School of Geography, Development and Environment; the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy; the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture.

One particular project, led by Ladd Keith at the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning, is a part of the Southwest Urban Corridor Integrated Field Laboratory, which is funded by the United States’ Department of Energy to explore extreme heat throughout Arizona. SW-IFL works in collaboration with other national laboratories including those at ASU and NAU. 

The team works to analyze extreme heat in the southwest and rural areas, and how communities deal with heat by conducting interviews. The team has also prescribed policy to Pima County and the City of Tucson regarding more effective strategies to combat rising temperatures, such as green stormwater infrastructure. 

Anne-Lise Boyer, a post-doctoral researcher with the Climate Assessment for the Southwest, shared that the team particularly analyzed extreme heat in three parts: heat mitigation, heat management and heat governance.

Mitigation deals with prevention through strategies such as green infrastructure and planting trees, while management includes cooling sensors and heat warning systems. Governance allows these measures to be enacted through policy.

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In Tucson, some of the most meaningful work the team has engaged in has been drafting the City of Tucson’s Heat Action Roadmap in 2024, which outlines goals to mitigate and mandate extreme heat and its impacts while prioritizing community voices.  

The goals of the roadmap include informing and educating citizens of Tucson on the adverse effects of extreme heat and cooling people’s homes and neighborhoods by incorporating heat risk in regional planning. These steps are essential to practicing heat management, especially as the city of Tucson grows. 

“I think the most interesting thing about being based in Tucson is that because the heat has been here for a long time, it’s like a laboratory in itself,” Boyer said. “We have all this research and all this collaboration happening with local actors because it’s a pressing issue in Arizona.”

As the annual heat summit recurs, new ideas and perspectives continue to be shared throughout the community. Boyer shared that this year, the Southern Arizona Heat Summit focused on the youth perspective, highlighting middle school and high school students and how heat impacts their everyday lives. Many students spoke about how heat shaped their lives at home, school and sports.

“That’s one of the goals, to have community members participate and give their input in how they wish the city will deal with the heat,” Boyer said. 

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Boyer and Kirsten Lake, a program coordinator for the SW-IFL team, also shared how the impacts of extreme heat impact some neighborhoods and communities in Tucson more than others, and that their research often evaluates these factors to determine where heat management efforts would make the greatest impact.

“Its important when you’re putting into effect some of these measures, that you make sure you put it where it’s going to make the biggest difference,” Lake said.

The work of the SW-IFL team is not just locally known. The Brookhaven National Lab based in New York deployed a specialized truck to Tucson to collect information on the atmosphere and rising temperatures. The SW-IFL team hosted the Brookhaven team.

Additionally, Keith’s work has led to a guidebook called “Planning for Urban Heat Resilience” which focuses on the adverse effects extreme heat poses to marginalized communities across the country. 

“It is so different from place to place and neighborhood to neighborhood because you have to take the whole context into account,” Boyer said. “They recommend first to document the heat impacts in your communities.”

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