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PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks no longer have a shot at the playoffs.

But Brandon Webb pitches tonight — invigorating a game between clubs out of postseason contention and stirring up the ongoing NL Cy Young argument.

Webb and San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum are considered the favorites to win the award. Webb makes a final audition today against the Colorado Rockies, and Lincecum states his case Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Webb wins the argument regarding number of victories (22), but Lincecum (17-5) boasts a better ERA (2.66) and strikeout total (252). Webb has a 3.24 ERA and 176 strikeouts.

"One more victory could look that much better," D-backs manager Bob Melvin said, adding that Webb is "absolutely" his choice.

Webb, who won the Cy Young in 2006 with a 16-8 record, acknowledged that if the situation were different, he might have taken today off.

"If we were totally out of it (the playoffs) and I wasn't pitching for anything, I would probably think about it or something like that," he said.

Randy Johnson will try for career victory No. 295 in the season finale Sunday. Count Melvin among those who believe Johnson should return in 2009 in quest of 300.

"Hopefully I'm still managing him," Melvin said. "…It would surprise me if he didn't want to come back."

First baseman Tony Clark, a 14-year veteran, said he hoped to continue his playing career next season – with the D-backs if they want him.

"I'd like to finish up here. I'd like to play one more year," he said. "I will go into the offseason working as if I'm going to have an opportunity with a ballclub. If the phone does not ring and the opportunity does not present itself, then I'll set out moving toward my goal of being a coach and eventual manager of the game."

Melvin replaced center fielder Chris Young with Jeff Salazar the lineup because Melvin said Young experienced "a little puffiness" in a knee after running into an outfield wall in St. Louis.

Melvin said Young could have played if the D-backs were still in playoff contention.

A day after the D-backs lost to St. Louis 12-3, allowing the Dodgers to clinch the NL West, the mood in the Arizona clubhouse was light.

Left fielder Conor Jackson strummed a guitar, and players raced a remote-control car off a little ramp on the locker room floor.

Nevertheless, regret still hung in the air.

"It stinks," Melvin said. "…We're still encouraged about where we're going to go in the future. It's disappointing to be in the position we're in right now."

The D-backs led the division for five months, but lost six straight to LA and the Giants this month to fall out of first.

First baseman Josh Whitesell and right-hander Cesar Valdez were named the D-backs' minor-league player and pitcher of the year. Whitesell hit .328 with 26 home runs and 110 RBIs in 127 games with the Tucson Sidewinders. Valdez went 13-8 with a 3.14 ERA between Class A Visalia and Double-A Mobile.