Sometimes as early as the third inning, Diamondbacks bench players start their preparations, putting on their managers’ caps and imagining what moves might happen next.
They’ll factor in how far away the pitcher’s spot is in the lineup and the pitch counts of both starters. They’ll forecast which relievers might enter the game. They’ll go over video and scouting reports. They’ll do everything they can to prepare for an at-bat or situation that might never arise.
Through the first series of the season, those preparations paid off for the Diamondbacks, whose bench produced timely hits in each of their three wins over the San Francisco Giants this week at Chase Field.