Colorado, meanwhile, is doing Colorado things. The Rockies are buried at 46-72, a year removed from a historically bad 119-loss season, and this current stretch hasn't offered much reason for optimism — they've dropped 4 of their last 5 and are getting outscored in the process. Hughes has shown swing-and-miss stuff in flashes, including a 7-strikeout effort last time out, but the results haven't followed; a winless record for a guy with real strikeout numbers says as much about the offense and bullpen behind him as it does about him.
Arizona's lineup is banged up on the corners — Jordan Lawlar and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. are both still working back from injury, and Merrill Kelly's a question mark after leaving his last start early. That's put more pressure on the healthy bats to carry the load, and they've answered lately, taking 2 of the first 3 from the Dodgers in their last series.
- 15-Day-ILJaden Hill (RP) — Hill (shoulder) completed a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.08/09
- 15-Day-ILJeff Criswell (RP) — The Rockies recalled Criswell from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.07/18
- 60-Day-ILJose Quintana (SP) — Quintana (elbow) is set to throw a bullpen session during the week of Aug. 3, MLB.com reports.08/01
- 60-Day-ILChase Dollander (SP) — Dollander underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow Monday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.06/23
- 60-Day-ILWelinton Herrera (RP) — Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer announced Monday that Herrera (elbow) has been diagnosed with a torn UCL and will miss the remainder of the season, Jack Janes of MLB.com reports.06/02
- 60-Day-ILMcCade Brown (SP) — Brown (shoulder) had been scheduled to throw a live bullpen session this weekend, MLB.com reports.06/01
- 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-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
- Day-To-DayMerrill Kelly (SP) — Kelly was removed from Friday's game against the Dodgers due to an apparent injury, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.08/08
- 10-Day-ILJordan Lawlar (LF) — Lawlar (hamstring) will continue to rehab at Double-A Amarillo, MLB.com reports.08/10
- 10-Day-ILLourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF) — Gurriel (adductor) took five at-bats in a bridge league game Saturday at the Diamondbacks' extended spring training facility, MLB.com reports.08/10
- 10-Day-ILTommy Troy (LF) — Troy (shoulder) is likely to participate in extended spring training games this week, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.08/04
- 15-Day-ILDrey Jameson (RP) — Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday that Jameson (hip) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno during the upcoming week, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.08/10
- 15-Day-ILMichael Soroka (SP) — Soroka (glute) will start Monday's contest on the mound versus the Rockies, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.08/09
- 15-Day-ILRyan Thompson (RP) — The Diamondbacks placed Thompson on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a lower-back strain, Jody Jackson of DBacks.tv reports.08/05
- 60-Day-ILJustin Martinez (RP) — Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Martinez (elbow) will shift his rehab assignment to Triple-A Reno during the upcoming week, MLB.com reports.08/09
- 60-Day-ILA.J. Puk (RP) — Manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Puk (elbow/shoulder) will remain shut down for the remainder of the season, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.08/07
- 60-Day-ILBlake Walston (SP) — Walston (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.08/04
- 60-Day-ILCorbin Burnes (SP) — Burnes (elbow/teres major) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.08/04
- 60-Day-ILZac Gallen (SP) — The Diamondbacks transferred Gallen (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.08/04
- 60-Day-ILRyne Nelson (SP) — Nelson (elbow) will begin a throwing program Saturday or Sunday, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.07/18
- 60-Day-ILAndrew Saalfrank (RP) — Saalfrank (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.07/18
- 60-Day-ILCristian Mena (RP) — Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters Monday that Mena underwent surgery on his right shoulder and will be sidelined for the rest of the season, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.06/01
None of Colorado's injury issues are going away either — their rotation is gutted, with Jose Quintana, Chase Dollander and McCade Brown all on extended shelf time, which is a big reason Hughes keeps getting sent out there in tough spots. Chase Field in August means triple-digit heat and a fast-playing ball, and neither pitcher figures to be economical with pitch counts tonight.
Bottom line: Arizona has the better arm, the better lineup, and a real reason to care about the final score. Colorado's just playing out the string in a lost season, and until that changes, this is a mismatch on paper that the Diamondbacks need to actually cash in.