Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies series preview

The Arizona Diamondbacks return from Dodger Stadium to take on the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field July 5-7.

The D-backs currently sit in third place in the National League West 15 games out of first place, but only 2.5 games out from the second NL Wild Card spot.

The Rockies are ahead of the D-backs in the Wild Card race and are only a half-game out of the second spot.

The D-backs are looking to get back on track after losing Tuesday’s game against the Dodgers by walking five consecutive batters with two outs in the ninth inning.

With the trade deadline only four weeks away, this series could prove to be critical as the team contemplates if they will be buyers or sellers on the July 31st deadline.

Arizona will also look to snap an eight-game losing streak against the Rockies when the series begins Friday.

The last win against Colorado came on May 4th when the D-backs won 9-2 at Coors Field.

On Friday, Arizona will have Zack Greinke on the mound facing off against Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela.

After a rocky start to the season, Senzatela has given up two runs or less in six of the last seven games he started.

In his previous outing versus the D-backs, he lasted seven innings and allowed only one run.

Greinke’s last start was against the Giants when he went seven innings, allowing no runs on five hits. However, last time around facing the Rockies, he gave up five runs on a season-high 11 hits.

Saturday will feature Rockies pitcher Jon Gray against D-backs lefty Robbie Ray.

Ray had gone six or more innings in his previous five starts before lasting only four innings in a loss against the Giants Sunday.

Gray has only allowed three runs in his last three starts and has made it through six innings in five of his previous six starts as well.

In the series finale on Sunday, the D-backs will face right-hander German Marquez.

Marquez has struggled in the month of June after a good start to the season. He had a 6.60 ERA and allowed six home runs in five starts last month.

This will be the second time the D-backs have faced Marquez this year. In his previous start, he went six innings and allowed five runs on seven hits.

The D-backs have not named a starter for Sunday’s game after rookie starter Taylor Clarke was put on the 10-day injured list for left back inflammation.

Beginning Monday, the team will have four days off for the All-Star break.

During that break, Greinke and infielder Ketel Marte will head to Cleveland representing the D-backs at the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday.

Arizona returns from the All-Star break July 12th to begin a five-game road trip against the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers.