The Diamondbacks (20-22) are clinging to the .500-ish range and just dropped two in a row after winning three straight. The Rockies (17-27) are doing Rockies things — 1-4 in their last 5 and already 10 games under. Friday opens a series at Coors with both starters carrying ERAs that would get you optioned in most organizations.
Merrill Kelly is the more interesting watch here. The 7.62 ERA is ugly on the surface, but he was finally Merrill Kelly again last time out — 7 innings, 1 run, 6 K against the Mets, the kind of zone-attacking outing Arizona has been waiting for since he came off the IL. The start before that against the Cubs he got rocked for 6 runs in 4.1, so this is very much a "which guy shows up" night, now at altitude.
Kyle Freeland counters for Colorado at 1-4 with a 6.00 ERA and a career line against Arizona that does not exactly scream stopper — 22 career matchups, 4-9, 5.94 ERA. His last time out he gave up 6 runs in 4.1 against Atlanta and has surrendered 10 earned across his last 9.1 frames. The Rockies offense is hitting .235/.291/.394 since May 4. They will need the building to help.
Arizona is the road favorite at -124 with a 12-run total, which is the market quietly admitting nobody loves either of these arms. Pinnacle's fair line implies Arizona around 54% — fine, but not the kind of edge that screams hammer when you remember the venue and the pitching.
The injury list is doing real damage on both sides. Arizona is still without Corbin Burnes, Carlos Santana, Pavin Smith, A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez. Colorado is missing Kris Bryant (back), Ryan Feltner, and just had Chase Dollander pulled in the 2nd inning of Thursday's start with right arm tightness — not a great sign for a rotation that can't really afford it.
- Day-To-DayKyle Amendt RP — Amendt was invited to major-league spring training by the Diamondbacks, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
- 10-Day-ILCarlos Santana 1B — Santana suffered a setback with his right adductor strain Sunday while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
- 60-Day-ILJordan Lawlar LF — Lawlar will undergo imaging this week to determine how his broken right wrist is healing, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
- 60-Day-ILJustin Martinez RP — Martinez (elbow) tossed a bullpen session Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
- 60-Day-ILCorbin Burnes SP — Burnes (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic reports.
- 60-Day-ILCristian Mena RP — The Diamondbacks placed Mena (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
- 60-Day-ILBlake Walston SP — Arizona placed Walston (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
- 60-Day-ILAndrew Saalfrank RP — Saalfrank (shoulder) said Wednesday that he expects to be sidelined 10-16 months, Arizona Sports reports.
- Day-To-DayChase Dollander SP — Dollander was lifted from Thursday's start versus the Pirates in the second inning due to right arm tightness, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DayBrayan Castillo RP — The Rockies announced Monday that Castillo is dealing with right lat tightness and has been shut down from throwing while undergoing treatment for the injury, TheDNVR.com reports.
- Day-To-DayCase Williams SP — Williams is currently slowed by a stress reaction in his right triceps, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DayJared Thomas CF — The Rockies announced Monday that Thomas hasn't been participating in spring training while he recovers from offseason surgery to address a fractured hamate bone in his right wrist, TheDNVR.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILJimmy Herget RP — The Rockies reinstated Herget (personal) from the bereavement list Tuesday.
- 15-Day-ILRyan Feltner SP — Feltner (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Hartford on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILRJ Petit RP — The Rockies transferred Petit (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILMcCade Brown SP — The Rockies transferred Brown (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.
Bottom line: two teams playing below expectation, two starters who could either steady the ship or vaporize, and Coors Field as the tiebreaker. Take the over and a snack.