Players To Watch: Diamondbacks v. Cardinals

Apr 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks chief baseball officer Tony La Russa prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants during opening day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Some thoughtful storylines heading into the Diamondbacks series against the Cardinals.

This will be the first time Tony La Russa has visited the Cardinals as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks front office. He last managed for the Cardinals back in 2011 and retired after leading the team to his third World Series title.

The Diamondbacks went 6-1 last week after being swept by the Phillies. Yes you read that right. They were swept by the lowly Phillies but then went on to sweep the Miami Marlins in a four-game series and then followed that up with a series win over the red-hot Chicago Cubs. Now the Dbacks are only one game below .500. At this point last year they were twelve games below .500 sitting at 20-32.

The Cardinals have won six of their last seven against the Diamondbacks.

After a six-game road trip, the Cardinals are kicking off a nine-game homestand against the NL West, facing the Dodgers after the Dbacks.

Now here are the players you need to be paying attention to this series.