The Arizona Diamondbacks (83-66, 77-72 RL, 86-57-6 O/U) face off against the Colorado Rockies (57-93, 74-76 RL, 73-74-3 O/U) in the second game of their three-game series on Tuesday evening. The Diamondbacks will send Jordan Montgomery to the mound, while the Rockies will counter with Ryan Feltner. Currently, Arizona holds an 8-2 advantage in their season series against Colorado.
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Diamondbacks Strive to Secure Wildcard Spot
Jordan Montgomery, the Diamondbacks’ starting pitcher, aims to improve after showing promise in his last appearance against the Rangers, where he delivered three scoreless innings. Despite being moved to the bullpen earlier this season due to performance issues, Montgomery has not excelled in that role either. His season statistics reflect a 6.25 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP, alongside an 8-6 record over 108 innings pitched. In his only start against the Rockies this season, he allowed three runs in six innings and has historically limited them to four runs in 11.2 innings across his career.
Arizona is in a tight race for the first wildcard spot, currently trailing the San Diego Padres by 1.5 games. After sweeping the Texas Rangers last week, the Diamondbacks faced a setback against the Milwaukee Brewers, losing their latest series while posting a combined score of 20 runs for and 27 runs against. Notably, their away performance has been commendable, with a 41-33 record on the road.
Eugenio Suarez has emerged as a key player for Arizona, boasting 12 RBIs and a remarkable 1.4 OPS this month. With a season total of 28 home runs and 95 RBIs, he consistently poses a threat at the plate, particularly against the Rockies, where he has accumulated 11 RBIs and an .847 OPS in their encounters.
The Diamondbacks lead the league with an average of 5.52 runs per game, although their pitching staff struggles with a 4.66 ERA, ranking them 28th overall.
Rockies Aim to Build Momentum After Cubs Series
Ryan Feltner is set to take the mound for Colorado. In his last start, he delivered a solid performance against the Detroit Tigers, giving up just two runs over 5.2 innings, although he did not earn a decision. Recently, Feltner has looked stronger, allowing only three runs in his past 11.2 innings pitched. His season stats show a 4.80 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP, and a disappointing 2-10 record over 143.2 innings. Against the Diamondbacks, he has struggled historically, yielding 15 runs (12 earned) in 12 career innings without a win.
The Rockies have managed to win two of their last three series, but they remain in danger of finishing with 100 losses. Over the weekend, they took two of three games from the Chicago Cubs, showcasing their offensive strength with 20 runs while allowing 16. At home, they have been more competitive, though they still sit four games under .500.
Ryan McMahon has not been particularly sharp lately, posting only two RBIs and a .670 OPS this month. Nonetheless, he has had a solid season overall, hitting 19 home runs, driving in 61 runs, and maintaining a .731 OPS. Against the Diamondbacks, McMahon’s performance has been decent, with four RBIs and a .730 OPS this season.
Colorado’s offense averages 4.20 runs per game, placing them 21st in the league, while their pitching staff struggles significantly with a 5.42 ERA, ranking them last.
Smart Bets for Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Showdown
As the Diamondbacks prepare to face the Milwaukee Brewers following this game, there is a risk they may overlook the Rockies. A recent loss to the Brewers has left Arizona seeking to regain momentum. Meanwhile, the Rockies are gaining confidence, having won six of their last ten games.
Jordan Montgomery’s recent demotion to the bullpen was due to ongoing struggles, but injuries have provided another opportunity for him. Unfortunately, he has allowed 16 runs in his last 24.2 innings of work. In contrast, Ryan Feltner has been impressive in his recent outings, allowing only three runs in his last 11.2 innings, contributing to a winning streak for the Rockies in his last four starts.
