MLB Series Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks (1-5) vs. Colorado Rockies (1-3)
By Andrew Dill
Sep 22, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) is tagged out at second base by Arizona Diamondback shortstop Chris Owings (16) during the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Rockies (1-3) suffered a rough opening week at the hands of the Miami Marlins down in Florida. They would manage to only win one game against a team who lost 100 games the year before. They seemed to have win number two locked up Thursday afternoon but the bullpen imploded, handing them their third loss of the young season. The Rockies will take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in their home opener Friday afternoon, looking to get some wins under their belt to get them going. Juan Nicasio will take the hill for the Rockies in the opener, coming off of a dominant Spring Training. The righty would toss 22.0 innings this spring, giving up seven earned runs while striking out 21 batters. His record would be 2-0 with a 2.86 ERA.
MLB Series Preview: vs.
Probable Pitching Match-Ups:
Friday: Arizona – Randall Delgado (0-0) vs. Colorado – Juan Nicasio
Saturday: Arizona – Brandon McCarthy (0-0, 6.75 ERA) vs. Colorado – Jorge De La Rosa (0-1, 10.38 ERA)
Sunday: Arizona – Wade Miley (1-1, 5.25 ERA) vs. Colorado – Brett Anderson (0-1, 4.50 ERA)
Colorado’s bullpen hasn’t been so sharp early on as they are already ranked 24th in the MLB in ERA, sitting at 5.59. They have logged 9.2 innings of work, giving up six earned runs while walking three batters. Good news for the Rockies is that offseason signing Boone Logan is expected to be activated and back in the pen sometime this weekend to add depth. Meanwhile, new first baseman Justin Morneau has gotten off to a good start replacing Rockies legend Todd Helton. In three games played, Morneau is batted .385, going 5-for-13 with one RBI. Last year’s batting champion Michael Cuddyer is picking up right where he left off. The veteran is batting .412, going 7-for-17 with one home run and four RBI’s.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have themselves a gem at the first base position in Paul Goldschmidt. He is on a hitting streak that is extended into last season where he passed Tony Womack for the second longest streak in D’Backs franchise history. He is closing in on Luis Gonzalez‘s 30-game streak that was set back in 1999. The Rockies are exhaling that they won’t have to see ace pitcher Patrick Corbin. The lefty was placed on the disabled list after having Tommy John surgery and he is hoping to be ready for the 2015 campaign.
Chris Owings is tearing it up in Arizona’s first six games, batting .444 with 8 hits in 18 at-bats. All eight hits are singles while he also has two stolen bases. Paul Goldschmidt is right behind him with a batting average of .423, with one home run (11-for-26) while driving in three runs.
First-pitch for Colorado’s home opener Friday afternoon is scheduled for 4:10 PM ET, 2:10 PM MT.