The Arizona Diamondbacks (14-12) are on the road to face the Colorado Rockies (8-18) at Coors Field on Friday to open a three-game series.
The Diamondbacks just wrapped up a seven-game homestand (3-4). They won two out of three in their last series against the Royals, taking the finale 2-0 on Wednesday at Chase Field. Emmanuel Rivera was 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI.
The Rockies are back home for a six-game homestand after concluding a seven-game road trip (3-4). They won two of three against the Guardians in their last series, dropping the finale 4-1 on Wednesday at Progressive Field. Kris Bryant went 2 for 4 with one RBI.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Rockies won the 2022 season series between the NL West rivals (10-9), including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Coors Field in September.
ON THE MOUND
Merrill Kelly (1-3, 3.42 ERA) is slated to start for Arizona. The RHP allowed four runs over five innings in his last start, a 5-3 road defeat against the Padres on Saturday. He took the loss, scattering three hits while striking out seven and walking five.
Over three starts against the Rockies in 2022, Kelly was 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA over 22.2 innings. He had 16 strikeouts and four walks. Left-hander Kyle Freeland (2-2, 4.28 ERA) gets the start for Colorado. Freeland made two appearances against the Diamondbacks in 2022, both as the starter, striking out eight and walking four over 12.1 innings (0-1, 4.38).
In his last start on Saturday, Freeland took the loss on the road against the Phillies. He threw six innings and gave up four runs on five hits, striking out six and walking one in the 4-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Arizona offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .260/.312/.412. Corbin Carroll leads the team in OPS at .929. The right fielder is slashing .311/.374/.556 with four home runs, eight RBIs, and 17 runs over 26 games.
Against left-handed pitchers like Freeland this season, the D-backs have a .721 OPS. Carroll also is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a .984 OPS in 27 at-bats.
Colorado is slashing .243/.305/.372 for the season and averaging 3.8 runs per game. Bryant leads the team with ann .830 OPS.
The shortstop has three home runs, eight RBIs, and 11 runs scored with a slash line of .312/.379/.452. The Rockies have a .683 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .826 OPS over 60 at-bats, Ryan McMahon has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Arizona is 6-6 in away games in 2023, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 5.3 runs. Colorado has lost five in a row in front of their home fans.
The Rockies are 3-7 at home this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 7.6. In the last 10 games between the teams at Coors Field, each club has won five, though Arizona has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.8-5.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Diamondbacks lead the NL West by zero games over the Dodgers. The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, six games behind the Diamondbacks.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Arizona Diamondbacks (-125)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
