Arizona

Series 37 Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks at Cleveland Guardians

Published

1 year ago

August 5, 2024

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.

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.

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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Arizona

ASU, state of Arizona launch initiative to power up the public workforce

Published

7 hours ago

November 7, 2025

Press Room

ASU, state of Arizona launch initiative to power up the public workforce

Arizona’s public employees keep the state moving — maintaining infrastructure, supporting families and serving communities.

Through a new initiative from Arizona State University and the state of Arizona, these employees have the opportunity to strengthen key skills and apply them in service to their communities.

This statewide initiative brings together a broad portfolio of professional learning offerings developed by ASU’s schools and colleges — spanning business, data analytics and visualization, collaboration, leadership and more — to meet the evolving needs of Arizona’s workforce.

Participating ASU schools and colleges

The collaboration was created in response to employee engagement survey feedback that professional learning and development ranked among employees’ top priorities. Data also showed that employer-paid certifications are among the most valued workplace benefits, evidence that continued learning builds both satisfaction and performance in the workplace.

Due to its strong alignment with the needs of Arizona state employees, the program reached capacity just two weeks after launch. More than 1,000 employees expressed interest, and 600 have already enrolled. Additional enrollment will be offered as more space or funding becomes available.

In collaboration with their supervisors, employees were able to choose what fits their goals, such as a short course to sharpen computer application skills or a longer certificate that builds leadership, data and technology expertise. Every option is flexible, practical and available to eligible employees at no cost.

“Arizona’s state employees are the heart of public service. This partnership invests in them — helping our workforce strengthen its skills, stay adaptable and continue delivering the best possible service to the people of Arizona,” Gov. Katie Hobbs said. “The incredible demand for the program shows how much state employees value high-quality professional development and the opportunity to earn a credential, which will generate a strong return on investment for the state.”

Preparing Arizona’s workforce for the future

Across industries, work is being reshaped by new technologies, automation and artificial intelligence.

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 “Future of Jobs Report,” nearly 40% of job skills will change within the next five years, while more than 170 million new roles will emerge globally as others evolve or disappear.

Arizona’s public agencies are navigating that same transformation. The ASU-Arizona partnership provides a structured, accessible way for employees to build digital fluency, strengthen leadership and enhance problem-solving skills relevant to their roles in government.

ASU, ranked No. 1 in the nation for innovation by U.S. News & World Report for 11 consecutive years, already has supported more than 1 million learners worldwide through its continuing and professional learning programs.

A leader in workforce development, the newest Global Employability University Ranking and Survey, or GEURS, again ranked ASU second among public U.S. universities for employable graduates — ahead of UCLA, the University of Michigan and Purdue. That same expertise now supports Arizona’s public workforce, offering learning experiences that help employees meet today’s challenges while preparing for those ahead.

“As a lifelong Arizonan, I’ve seen firsthand the impact public employees have in every community across our state,” said Nancy Gonzales, executive vice president and university provost. “Arizona will continue to thrive thanks to programs like this one, which ensures that our public employees have opportunities to learn and grow throughout their careers. This partnership reflects ASU’s commitment to transforming the university experience into a lifelong relationship that empowers people at every stage of life.”

Practical learning with measurable value

Eligible employees were able to participate in one of two program types designed to meet different professional goals:

Skills-based courses, focused primarily on digital and project management skills — including areas such as data analytics, agile project management and technology-enabled collaboration — many of which can be completed in eight hours or less.
Career certificate programs, providing deeper study in leadership, strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making.

Each offering provides practical, job-relevant tools that employees can apply immediately in their work. Upon completion, participants earn a digital credential from ASU, which can be shared in professional portfolios or annual performance evaluations.

The partnership also includes up to eight keynote sessions throughout the year, led by ASU experts, on leadership, innovation and managing change — giving employees a chance to learn together and share ideas across agencies.

By connecting the state’s workforce goals with ASU’s learning resources, the collaboration strengthens leadership and innovation across public service and supports Arizona’s capacity to adapt, grow and shape what’s next.

Learn more

While the program is at capacity, eligible employees can visit hr.az.gov/asu-careercatalyst-program to explore available offerings and join an interest list.

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Arizona

Hamilton vs. Chandler: Watch live Arizona high school football showdown Friday night (11/7/2025)

Published

1 day ago

November 6, 2025

Press Room

Hamilton vs. Chandler: Watch live Arizona high school football showdown Friday night (11/7/2025)

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The undefeated Hamilton Huskies (9-0, 3-0) travel to take on the red-hot Chandler Wolves (8-1, 3-0) in a pivotal 6A Fiesta League regular-season finale showdown on Friday night. With both teams sporting impressive resumes, this matchup is a can’t-miss battle for supremacy in one of Arizona’s top high school football rivalries.

The Huskies have been dominant all season, most recently cruising to a 63-0 victory over Cesar Chavez. Sophomore quarterback Jax Sculley tossed three touchdown passes, while fellow sophomore Jake Disanti added two more scoring strikes, and senior signal-caller Daniel Vaita also found the end zone through the air in the rout.

Chandler enters this clash riding a seven-game winning streak after last week’s 28-22 triumph over Pinnacle. Junior quarterback Will Mencl was the catalyst, throwing for 338 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for two scores. Sophomore running back David Douglas chipped in with a rushing touchdown of his own in the victory.

Opening kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT on Friday, November 7 with a live TV broadcast on NFHS Network.

• WATCH: Hamilton vs. Chandler football is livestreaming on NFHS Network

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