Diamondbacks' Starter Must Find Success vs Rockies

The Diamondbacks can't mess around in Colorado.

Jun 3, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Arizona Diamondbacks, on the heels of a series loss in Toronto, will travel to Coors Field to take on the Colorado Rockies in a three-game set. First pitch is set for 5:40 p.m. Arizona time.

The Diamondbacks float back to .500 at 37-37, while the Rockies are currently the hottest they've been all season, going 8-8 in their latest stretch.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies Pitching Matchup

RHP Zac Gallen (5.19 ERA) vs LHP Austin Gomber (0.00 ERA)

Right-hander Zac Gallen's season has been anything but satisfying, to both fans and Gallen himself. His 5.19 ERA has not been the product of bad luck, but rather poor execution.

While Gallen has been able to provide length in each of his three recent starts, he's been bit by the long ball four times in his past two starts, with eight earned runs in his last 13 innings. He's walked seven in that span.

What Gallen must avoid in his start is hard contact. Perhaps an oversimplification, and easier said than done, but the confines of Coors Field will not hold many a hard-hit ball. Gallen has given up a 46% hard-hit rate, and the average exit velocity against him is over 95 MPH. Those are both in the bottom 21% of MLB.

But the balls that are hard-hit flyouts in most MLB parks may easily leave Colorado's offensive paradise.

Swing-and-miss will be the key, and if he's not able to set up deception with his fastball, a poor result is to be expected once again.

Gallen will need to have pinpoint command and top-tier deception to avoid a similar result to his last outing against Colorado, in which he allowed six runs, including four homers at Chase Field.

For the Rockies, left-hander Austin Gomber is making just his second start of the year. He allowed just two hits over five scoreless innings. Gomber relies on a balanced arsenal, consisting of an 89 MPH four-seam, with a splitter, changeup, curve and slider to back it up.

Gomber has a career 5.65 ERA facing Arizona, and the D-backs jumped on him for six runs over just two innings in September of 2024.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies Lineups

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies / Alex D'Agostino

Corbin Carroll is still out of the D-backs' lineup after he was hit on the hand by a pitch in game two against the Blue Jays. Manager Torey Lovullo explained Carroll's status:

“At this point in time... [Corbin Carroll] is not in the lineup.”

Torey Lovullo plans to give his star outfielder another night off, due to a bruised hand.@Dbacks | #Dbacks
🔗 https://t.co/6YbqEWFvEp pic.twitter.com/qioWPIuZ6l

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) June 20, 2025

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies Bullpen

The D-backs were forced to turn to closer Shelby Miller to finish their win over the Blue Jays Thursday, after Miller blew the save Tuesday on back-to-back home runs. Juan Morillo also pitched twice in the Blue Jays series, although he only faced one hitter on Thursday.

Arizona will likely have to utilize a combination of Jalen Beeks, Ryan Thompson, and Kyle Backhus for any high-leverage opportunities. Kevin Ginkel and Tayler Scott should be available to pitch an inning, if needed.

Long man Anthony DeSclafani is unavailable after a rough outing that saw him throw 41 pitches in two innings.

Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen situation entering play June 20, 2025 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. | Red = High Usage, Orange = Warmed Up, Magenta = Multiple Innings / Michael McDermott, Arizona Diamondbacks On SI

The Rockies used closer Seth Halvorsen both Wednesday and Thursday. He'll likely be down for game one. Jake Bird and Tyler Kinley, Colorado's other high-leverage arms, were not used.

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