AZCENTRAL SPORTS
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When they were teammates with the Diamondbacks two years ago, left-hander Robbie Ray and right-hander Chase Anderson were almost inseparable. They would play catch together before games, share meals together, play table tennis against each other. They would sometimes ride to the ballpark together. Even their wives are good friends.
On Sunday, they will face each other for the first time in their big-league careers. Both are in the midst of standout seasons and are throwing as well as – if not better – than they ever have. Both look like they might be turning a corner in their career.
They say they’re excited for the matchup. Their wives, however, might not be.
“I think our wives are just champingat-the-bit nervous,” Anderson said.
“We’ve always talked about wanting to face each other, and our wives are like, ‘No, no, no. We don’t want to have to watch that.’ I think my wife gets more nervous than me when I pitch, and when you’re facing your friends, it’s even more so. I think they’re ready for the game to be over.”
Anderson and Ray were first introduced by the Diamondbacks’ team chaplain, Brian Hommel, and they say their shared faith – they are devout Christians – is probably the first thing that brought them together.
“We definitely are similar in that,” Ray said. “We’re not really similar personalities. I’m pretty easygoing and he’s kind of out there. But he can be kind of laid back. He can sometimes be in your face a little bit, a little touchy-feely. But he’s great.”
Anderson, who was traded to the Brewers as part of the Jean Segura deal two offseasons ago, already has thrown well against his old team once this season, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning last month in Milwaukee. In three career starts against the Diamondbacks, Anderson has a 2.00 ERA with six walks and 21 strikeouts in 18 innings.
“It is fun to face your old team,” Anderson said. “When you face your former team, there’s a little bit more initiative to go above and beyond. I’m looking forward to it.”
Armed with a fastball that’s added a couple of miles per hour from years past, Anderson is riding a scoreless streak of 21 2/3 innings.
“The last time I saw him, I was kind of surprised he was 95-97 mph,” Ray said. “I asked him where it came from, and I said it must be dad strength. Having a kid, I guess, makes you a little stronger.”
Said Anderson: “I’ve gained a little bit of weight this past offseason, and I’m able to maintain that now. Maybe I’m just a late bloomer? I don’t know. I’m not too mad about it. I kind of enjoy throwing a little bit harder. But I’ve still got to locate.”
Ray, meanwhile, seems to be putting together the dominance he showed at times last season with more start-tostart consistency. He scrapped his change-up and found a usable curveball, giving him the third pitch he lacked, and he recently picked up the tempo with his delivery, which he believes helps explain his recent results. He’s allowed just one run in his past four starts, a span of 30 1/3 innings.
“That’s always good to see, especially for your friends in the game,” Anderson said. “Obviously, when you face them, you want to win. I’m all about this team and he’s all about his team. It’s going to be a good battle. But it’s good to see guys have success in this game. I’m happy for him. Hopefully we can beat him tomorrow.”