MLB Preview: Colorado Rockies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
By Andrew Dill
Apr 21, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) high fives shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) after the game against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. The Rockies won 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Rockies look to continue their winning ways Monday night as they open up a three-game set with the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks on the road.
Colorado is showing signs of being a potential contender as they have won three consecutive series heading into tonight’s series. I know it’s only April, but the team has won some promising games over the past couple weeks that would have been losses in years past. Franklin Morales will take the hill for the Rockies in game one of the series as he has provided a nice back of the rotation option for the club.
In Franklin’s last start back on Apr. 22nd against the San Francisco Giants, he would pitch seven strong innings, giving up just five hits, one earned run (home run), walking two while striking out seven batters. Morales is supporting a record of 2-1 in his four starts, sitting at an ERA of 1.36 with a WHIP of 1.36.
Probable Starting Pitchers:
April 28th: Rockies: Franklin Morales (2-1, 3.86 ERA) vs. D’Backs: Wade Miley (2-2, 4.50 ERA).
April 29th: Rockies: Tyler Chatwood (1-0, 4.26 ERA) vs. D’Backs: Mike Bolsinger (1-1, 5.27 ERA)
April 30th: Rockies: Jordan Lyles (3-0, 2.93 ERA) vs. D’Backs: Josh Collmenter (1-2, 3.38 ERA).
One player that has stepped up since a slow start to the season is outfielder Brandon Barnes. He is hitting a league-best .545 since April. 18th as he collected three hits in four at-bats in Colorado’s 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday afternoon. He would have went 4-for-4 from the plate if it wasn’t for an instant replay challenge, ruling him out at first base.
Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is playing some outstanding baseball for the club as he made three web gem plays in the infield in the first two innings yesterday. He would also go 2-for-4 from the plate, extending his hitting streak to a career-best 17-games.
Colorado will have to go up against Wade Miley in game one of the three-game set. He has been a Rockies’ killer if you will, owning a career record of 7-0 against the club as he defeated them back on April. 6th in Denver by the final score of 5-3. Here’s what Miley had to say about the matchup:
"“I don’t know,” Miley said when asked of his success against the Rockies. “My mentality is the same against these guys as it is against anyone else. I was just trying to keep the ball down. You know down is good against this team. They’re an aggressive team. That’s a really, really good lineup over there."
Colorado won two out of three against the Diamondbacks earlier in April. First-pitch between the Rockies and D’Backs Monday night is scheduled for 9:40 PM ET, 7:40 PM MT.