Gibson not concerned where team is right now

Prior to Friday night’s series opener against the Brewers, Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson took time to speak to the media, and talked about the first meeting between the teams since their playoff series last fall.

“They’re a new team, we’re a new team,” Gibson said. “We wanna win the series this weekend, and get some positive momentum going.”

Arizona is coming off a big 11-4 rout of the Dodgers, which allowed them to salvage just the one game of three in that series.

The Diamondbacks come into Friday’s play 10.5 games behind the Dodgers. Gibson says he really doesn’t look at the standings at this point of the season. He wants his guys to just focus on playing baseball and not concern themselves with where they are within the division.

“I’ve told these guys to go day-by-day and keep pushing,” Gibson said.

He likened their situation to where the world champion Cardinals were last year, and how they made a strong push to make the playoffs and win the World Series.

“They came out from way back, way late, so it is possible,” Gibson said. “Can’t let it affect the way you play.”

On the topic of his players, Gibson was asked about the status of catcher Miguel Montero, who hasn’t been in the starting lineup since leaving Monday’s game against the Dodgers with a left groin strain.

“He’s not ready to play yet,” Gibson said. “He was just out hitting and did a lot of drills today.”

As far as the future for Montero, Gibson said he could possibly play on Saturday. Gibson said his range of motion has gotten much better since Monday, equating the injury to “a bad cramp.”

Over the last 10 games, right fielder Justin Upton is hitting .343, with two home runs and nine RBI. Gibson has seen improvements in Upton’s bat lately.

“He’s just staying on the ball better, getting to the fastball better,” Gibson said. “He’s just seeing the ball better, he’s more comfortable staying back.”

Words every Diamondback player and fan loves to hear…