The Colorado Rockies are set to welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to Coors Field for the start of a three-game series this Friday. Both teams are looking to turn their seasons around in this NL West matchup, with the Diamondbacks currently sitting at 20-22 (third in the division) and the Rockies trailing at 17-27 (fifth in the division).
On the mound, fans can expect a battle of veteran left-handers. The Diamondbacks will send Merrill Kelly to the hill, who holds a 2-3 record with a 7.62 ERA and 20 strikeouts this season. The Rockies will counter with Kyle Freeland, who has struggled to a 1-4 record but maintains a 6.00 ERA with 28 strikeouts. With both pitchers having high ERAs, this game could turn into a slugfest—the over/under is set at 12 runs, and the Diamondbacks enter as slight favorites at -125.
Colorado has been a mixed bag at home with an 8-11 record, but they boast the seventh-best team batting average in MLB at .248. The Rockies will rely on Mickey Moniak, who leads the team with 12 home runs and an impressive .677 slugging percentage. T.J. Rumfield has also been hot lately, going 13-for-39 with three homers and five RBIs over his last 10 games.
Arizona, meanwhile, has struggled on the road with an 8-13 record and have lost 20 of 29 games when allowing at least one home run. Ildemaro Vargas has been a bright spot, leading the team with a .331 batting average, seven home runs, and 28 RBIs. Nolan Arenado has also been consistent, going 8-for-30 with a home run and three RBIs in his last 10 games.
Both teams are coming off rough stretches. The Rockies have gone 3-7 in their last 10 games, hitting .238 with a 6.24 ERA and being outscored by 19 runs. The Diamondbacks haven't fared much better at 4-6, but their pitching has been stronger with a 3.06 ERA while outscoring opponents by two runs.
Injury woes plague both rosters. The Rockies are dealing with key absences, including Kris Bryant (back) and Ryan Feltner (tricep), along with several pitchers on the 60-day IL. The Diamondbacks have an even longer list, with stars like Corbin Burnes (elbow) and Carlos Santana (groin) sidelined, plus numerous pitchers on the 60-day IL.
This series opener marks the first meeting between these division rivals this season. With both teams hungry for a win, expect an exciting game at Coors Field.