At 3:10 p.m. Friday, Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale began his usual pre-game media session. One of the first questions was about starter Jeremy Hellickson, who would take the mound against the San Diego Padres three-and-a-half hours later.
"I think he's about to ready to get going the way he can pitch," Hale said. "He's starting to feel it."
Hale was basing his comments in part on Hellickson's last start, when he gave up three runs and six hits to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 5 1/3 innings. While the numbers weren't great, Hale liked that Hellickson threw his fastball more often rather than relying on his secondary pitches.