Diamondbacks at Rockies Series Preview

The battered and snakebit D-backs hope to get back on track in Colorado

The Diamondbacks are in Denver for a three game series against the Colorado Rockies starting Monday night. D-backs manager Torey Lovullo has been stuck on career win number 499 as the team is on a four game losing streak. After taking three of four from the Rockies to open the season they lost two of three to the Yankees and were swept in Atlanta. The D-backs are tied for third in the NL West, three games behind the Dodgers with a 4-6 record.

The Rockies have fared just as badly since that opening series. The were swept by the Cubs, and lost two of three to the Rays at home, bringing their record to 2-8. Only the Marlins at 1-9 have gotten off to a worse start.

The D-backs will be without starting Shortstop Geraldo Perdomo for at least the next month as he suffered a torn meniscus in his knee that will require surgery. Rookie Blaze Alexander, and backup infielders Kevin Newman and Jace Peterson will get the reps at short in his absence. The team is also without starting centerfielder Alek Thomas, who is on the IL with a left hamstring strain.

The team is averging 6.1 runs per game, which is third best in the National League. It should be noted that run scoring is up league wide in the early going, as the NL is averaging 4.88 R/G. Since their opening day 16 run outburst the D-backs have averaged 5.00 R/G, or slightly better than league average.

The D-backs have scored a whopping 21 runs in the first inning of their games, the most in the NL. The late inning offense has been almost nonexistent however, as they've been outscored 13-5 during innings 7-9, and 5-3 in extra innings.

That lack of late inning offense coupled with poor high leverage relief pitching has led to two extra inning losses and an 0-3 record in one run games. While the bullpen's 3.55 ERA looks respectable, ranking 4th best in the league, they've faltered when it matters most. The bullpen WPA, or Win Percentage Added, is -1.29, or 13th of 15 in the NL. The team has really felt the absence of closer Paul Sewald, who is out with a Grade 2 Oblique strain at least until May. That's forced Kevin Ginkel into the closer's role and other pitchers to move up into higher leverage situations.

The starting pitching for the D-backs has been decent overall two turns through the rotation, although there have been some rough spots. The team anxiously awaits the return of the injured Eduardo Rodriguez (left lat strain) and newly signed Jordan Montgomery. Rodriguez just started throwing bullpens off a mound this past weekend and Montgomery had his first ramp up start for Triple-A Reno on Sunday. Neither are expected to rejoin the rotation before April 19th.

The Rockies meanwhile have a league worst 7.69 starter's ERA and also the worst reliever ERA at 7.28. They've played just three of their 10 games at home, so this isn't a Coors Field issue. Their offense has been slightly below average, scoring 4.20 R/G and posting a .703 team OPS vs. a league average .788 OPS. Both outputs rank 9th in the NL. The Rockies are simply not a good team, but any series at Coors Field can always be tough on a pitching staff due to the high octane offensive environment.

Starting Pitching Matchups

Monday, 5:40 P.M. MST : Zac Gallen (RHP). 2-0, 0.82 ERA vs. Kyle Freeland (LHP) 0-2, 27.00 ERA

What better way to try to break a losing streak then to send your ace Zac Gallen out to the mound. "The Milkman" has consistently delivered following a D-backs loss, earning the tag as a stopper. Gallen tossed six shutout innings against the Yankees on April 2nd, giving up just three hits, walking three, and striking out six. In six career starts at Coors Field he's 2-0 with an impressive 2.43 ERA

Kyle Freeland gave up 10 runs in 2.1 innings to the D-backs on opening day. He fared little better in his second start, giving up seven more in just 3.1 innings against the Cubs on April 2nd.

Tuesday, 5:40 P.A. MST : Merrill Kelly 1-0, 1.98 ERA vs. Cal Quantrill 0-1, 9.00 ERA

Kelly pitched very well in his last start, going seven innings and giving up just two runs on four hits to the Yankees. He took a no decision in that game as the bullpen falted in extra innings in a 6-5 loss. Kelly is 3-2 with a 4.91 ERA in six career starts at Coors Field.

Cal Quantrill gave up five runs in five innings to the D-backs in the second game of the year and then allowed four runs in four innings to the Cubs on April 3rd. He's allowed 13 hits and five walks in nine innings.

Wednesday, 12:10 P.M. MST: Tommy Henry (LHP) 0-1, 7.00 vs. Austin Gomber (LHPP 0-0, 6.23

Tommy Henry rebounded from a rough first start against the Rockies with a much better outing against the Braves on April 5th. He went five gutsy innings, giving up just two runs despite allowing six hits, two walks, a HBP, and a homer. Henry is likely to be replaced in the rotation when Rodriguez returns, but for now the team is counting on him to give enough quality innings to stay in games.

Austin Gomber out pitched Henry on March 30th, getting into the fifth inning and giving up four runs in the Rockies lone win of the opening series in Arizona. He only gave up two runs in four innings against the Rays April 5th, getting another no-decision in the Rockies other win this season.