D-Backs 8, Giants 2: Sweep-Avoidant Snakes

I have always been fascinated by the idea of a “stopper” in baseball parlance. The term is emblematic of Earl Weaver’s famous adage that, “Momentum is only as good as tomorrow’s starting pitcher.” In my opinion, it’s simply the starting pitcher that can set the tone for the team, for the pitchers, and reverse any poor play the team might have demonstrated beforehand. For the past four-plus years, Zac Gallen has been both the staff ace and the stopper who has halted any negative momentum, bad vibes, or pressure the team might be experiencing at the time.