D-backs get rematch with Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field

It’s still early, but the Diamondbacks can jump into first place in the NL West in their rematch against the Rockies this weekend in Denver.

The two teams squared off at Chase Field just last weekend, when the Rockies took two out of three and the D-backs’ only win came in a wacky 13-inning contest on Sunday. And even though the Diamondbacks have boasted one of the top offenses in baseball this season, they scored just nine runs in that series.

Arizona’s loss to the Nationals on Thursday and Colorado’s win over San Diego gives the Rockies a 1.5-game lead in the NL West.

But the ordering of the current top two teams in the division could flip-flop throughout the weekend, depending on how these matchups go:

Friday, 5:40 MST: Zack Greinke (2-2) vs. German Marquez (0-1)

Greinke’s three runs allowed over six innings last weekend against the Rockies were good enough for a quality start, but he got the no-decision in his nine-strikeout performance. He holds a career 4.11 ERA against Colorado and a 4.26 mark at Coors Field.

The right-handed Marquez has a 7.20 ERA this season, but don’t be fooled: That mark is over just two starts, and all eight of the runs he’s surrendered this season came in one game. The other outing was against the Diamondbacks, when he pitched six scoreless innings, striking out eight.

Saturday, 5:10 MST: Patrick Corbin (2-3) vs. Tyler Anderson (1-3)

The D-backs saw Anderson last Saturday at Chase Field, scoring six runs against the left-hander over five innings. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for Arizona, who watched closer Fernando Rodney surrender the lead in the ninth inning and cost them the game.

Anderson is carrying a 7.71 ERA on the year through 30.1 innings, and entering Thursday, shared the MLB-lead in earned runs allowed at 26.

Corbin, meanwhile, has fared slightly better: His 2.29 ERA in 35.1 innings is the best such mark among the Diamondbacks’ starting pitchers this year. The southpaw’s last time out was on Sunday in that win over Colorado, in which he threw 6.1 innings of two-hit shutout baseball, fanning six.

Though he did quite well against the Rockies last weekend, Corbin holds a career 6.69 ERA at Coors Field.

Sunday, 12:10 MST: Taijuan Walker (3-1) vs. Tyler Chatwood (2-4)

Because Walker spent his entire career in the American League before coming to the D-backs this season, he’s only faced the Rockies once — and it was in Colorado, in August of 2015. He allowed three earned runs in 7.1 innings.

This season, though, the right-hander holds a 4.19 ERA and 1.282 WHIP in six starts.

Chatwood is in his sixth season with the Rockies (including a year off from Tommy John surgery) and seventh MLB year overall. Sunday will be Arizona’s first look at the righty this season, but the 27-year-old has a career 4.39 ERA against the D-backs in 41 innings pitched.

You can catch all three of those games on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station.

Items of Note:

Freight Train is off-track

D-backs outfielder David Peralta, who holds a team-leading .326 batting average, has been out since April 30 due to illness. He’s still just day-to-day.

He’s been under the weather this series but Torey Lovullo said he’s available off the bench today.

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 4, 2017

Offensive Fireworks

Colorado is typically a prolific offensive ballclub (they’ve finished in the top five in MLB in runs scored in each of the last three seasons). This year, they’ve scored 132 runs, good for eighth in baseball entering Thursday. The Diamondbacks are in second in that category behind only Washington.

Strangely, though, the Rockies have no hitters in the top 30 in baseball in batting average as of Thursday morning. Charlie Blackmon’s .302 clip leads the team.

Again… Offensive Fireworks

You never know what the weekend will bring you, but Coors Field is widely regarded as baseball’s most offense-driven ballpark. It has finished in first on ESPN’s Park Factors list each year since 2012.

Old Friends, Now Foes

Both the Diamondbacks and Rockies will see some of their former players in the opposite dugout. The D-backs’ Jorge De La Rosa, Chris Iannetta and Daniel Descalso are all former Rockies, while Colorado’s Chad Qualls, Mark Reynolds and Gerardo Parra once donned the Sedona Red.

What’s next?

After this mile-high showdown, the D-backs get a day off before beginning a nine-game homestand against the Tigers, Pirates and Mets.

Follow @mattjlayman