The Arizona Diamondbacks (83-66, 78-71 RL, 86-57-6 O/U) and the Colorado Rockies (57-93, 74-76 RL, 73-74-3 O/U) kick off a three-game series on Monday evening. The Diamondbacks will rely on veteran pitcher Merrill Kelly, while the Rockies will send Antonio Senzatela to the mound. So far this season, the Diamondbacks have dominated the matchup, leading the series 8-2.
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Arizona’s Wildcard Aspirations
Merrill Kelly takes the mound for the Diamondbacks, but his recent performance has raised concerns. In his last outing, he gave up three runs in just four innings against the Texas Rangers, ultimately settling for a no-decision. Over his last five games, Kelly has allowed four or more runs in three of them, posting a 4.26 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP, though he still boasts a 4-0 record across 57 innings this season. Remarkably, he has limited the Rockies to just three runs in 12.2 innings this year, holding a 3.64 ERA and a 7-3 record over his career against Colorado.
As Arizona starts this pivotal road trip, they are grappling with inconsistency, having lost three of their last five series. They trail the Dodgers by five games and are vying with the Padres for the first wildcard spot. The Diamondbacks struggled against the Brewers over the weekend, losing two of three games and allowing a staggering 18 runs. However, they remain eight games above .500 away from home.
Christian Walker is one of the key players to watch. He has amassed six RBIs and boasts a stellar 1.00 OPS this month. After spending over a month on the injured list, Walker has returned with a vengeance, hitting 25 home runs and driving in 78 runs, all while maintaining an impressive .830 OPS. Against the Rockies this season, he has been particularly effective, contributing six RBIs and a 1.2 OPS.
Arizona’s offense leads the majors, averaging 5.52 runs per game, though their pitching staff has struggled, posting a 4.66 ERA, ranking them 26th overall.
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Senzatela’s Comeback for Colorado
The Rockies will hand the ball to Antonio Senzatela, marking his first appearance since May due to injury. He has only pitched twice this season, giving up one run in five innings against the Mets and three runs in 2.2 innings against the Pirates. Historically, Senzatela has shown promise, but injuries have hindered his performance. Last year, he recorded a 5.07 ERA with a 1.69 WHIP. Against Arizona, he has struggled, holding a 5.72 ERA and a 3-9 record in 96 innings.
The Rockies have faced challenges recently, losing three of their last five series. They struggled in a road series against Detroit but bounced back with two wins in three games against the Cubs over the weekend, scoring 16 runs. However, their pitching has been a significant issue this season, and they are currently four games under .500 at home.
Brenton Doyle has had a rough month, managing only four RBIs and a .340 OPS. Nonetheless, he remains a bright spot for Colorado, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 70 runs this year, with a .774 OPS. Against the Diamondbacks, he has recorded three RBIs and a solid .787 OPS.
Colorado averages 4.21 runs per game, placing them 20th in the league, while their pitching staff ranks last with a 5.42 ERA.
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Key Bets for Diamondbacks vs. Rockies
The Arizona Diamondbacks have secured victories in four of their last six contests, making each game critical as they compete with the Padres for the first wildcard spot. They have consistently outperformed the Rockies this season, winning eight of the ten matchups.
Merrill Kelly’s dominance over the Rockies is notable, as he has held them to just three runs in 12.2 innings this year. In contrast, Antonio Senzatela is returning from injury, which may limit his effectiveness and pitch count. He has struggled historically against Arizona, holding a disappointing 5.72 ERA and a 3-9 record.
