« D-Backs already at 27 wins »

After beating Detroit 1-0 Sunday, Arizona is now 27-18 on the season. Last year they didn't win their 27th game until they also had 39 losses.

Javier Vazquez, who's had a rough going of it lately, threw a five-hit shutout against the Tigers. This makes him 5-3 on the season, and I am finally comfortable having him as the #2 pitcher behind Brandon Webb.

The entire rotation has gelled nicely so far. A starting corps of Webb, Vasquez, Russ Ortiz, Shawn Estes and Brad Halsey doesn't knock you off your socks, but it will get the job done more often than not. Combined they're 22-10, and of those five, only Ortiz has an ERA above 4.

More importantly, these are the only five guys to start games for them in 2005 so far. In 2004 they used 12 starting pitchers.

Currently they're a half game ahead of another surprise team, the Padres. And oh boy, they play each other in a series starting tonight.

Pitching probables for the series in Bank One Ballpark:
Tuesday:
Adam Eaton (6-1, 3.35 ERA in 53 2/3 IP) vs. Russ Ortiz (4-2, 5.11 in 49 1/3 IP)

Wednesday:
Darrell May (0-0, 4.24 ERA in 23 1/3 IP) vs. Brad Halsey (3-2, 3.54 in 53 1/3 IP)

Thursday:
Jake Peavy (4-0, 2.29 ERA in 63 IP) vs. Brandon Webb (6-0, 3.32 ERA in 62 1/3 IP)