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.05/08
- 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.05/11
- OutDerek Law (RP) — Law (forearm) signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aaron Hughes of SI.com reports.05/08
- OutTommy Henry (RP) — The Diamondbacks re-signed Henry (elbow) to a minor-league contract Monday.05/08
- OutA.J. Vukovich (CF) — Vukovich is slashing .263/.333/.485 with 24 home runs, 20 steals on 29 attempts and a 28.4 percent strikeout rate in 115 games for Double-A Amarillo.05/08
- 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.05/10
- 60-Day-ILJustin Martinez (RP) — Martinez (elbow) tossed a bullpen session Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.05/09
- 60-Day-ILCorbin Burnes (SP) — Burnes (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILCristian Mena (RP) — The Diamondbacks placed Mena (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILBlake Walston (SP) — Arizona placed Walston (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILAndrew Saalfrank (RP) — Saalfrank (shoulder) said Wednesday that he expects to be sidelined 10-16 months, Arizona Sports reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILA.J. Puk (RP) — Puk (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and provided an update following the activity, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILPavin Smith (1B) — Smith (elbow) will take dry swings next week, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.05/08
- 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.05/14
- 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.05/08
- Day-To-DayCase Williams (SP) — Williams is currently slowed by a stress reaction in his right triceps, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.05/08
- 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.05/08
- 15-Day-ILJimmy Herget (RP) — The Rockies reinstated Herget (personal) from the bereavement list Tuesday.05/14
- 15-Day-ILRyan Feltner (SP) — Feltner (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Hartford on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.05/14
- 60-Day-ILRJ Petit (RP) — The Rockies transferred Petit (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILMcCade Brown (SP) — The Rockies transferred Brown (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILPierson Ohl (RP) — The Rockies placed Ohl (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILKris Bryant (DH) — Bryant said Tuesday that the ongoing pain in his back continues to prevent him from participating in baseball activities, though he's still consulting with doctors and trainers for potential rehab options, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILJeff Criswell (RP) — Criswell (elbow) made the second appearance of his rehab assignment with High-A Spokane on Sunday, striking out two over a perfect inning.05/08
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.