Free MLB Picks Today: Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks 9/9/22

The Arizona Diamondbacks (65-71) are on the road to face the Colorado Rockies (59-79) at Coors Field on Friday to open a three-game series. The Diamondbacks are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Padres, dropping the finale 6-3 on Wednesday at Petco Park. Daulton Varsho was 2 for 4 with two solo home runs. Corbin Carroll added a solo home run and a double. The Rockies are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They won two of three against the Brewers in their last series, taking the finale 8-4 on Wednesday at Coors Field. Michael Toglia went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double. He scored two runs and had four RBIs. Alan Trejo added a home run and two RBIs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The NL West rivals have split their games this season 8-8, as the Diamondbacks evened the season series with a 7-4 victory in their most recent meeting on August 14 at Coors Field. Tommy Henry went 5.1 innings to get the win, allowing three runs on five hits, and Ian Kennedy earned his eighth save with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Zach Davies (2-4, 3.74 ERA) is slated to get the start for Arizona. The right-hander allowed one run over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 2-1 road win over the Brewers on September 2. He yielded six hits while striking out five and walking one in the no-decision. Over three previous starts against the Rockies this season, Davies has allowed only three earned runs over 16.1 innings (0-0, 1.65). He has struck out 11 and walked six. Right-hander German Marquez (8-10, 4.86 ERA) gets the ball for Colorado. He has made three appearances against the Diamondbacks this season, all as the starter, giving up eight runs (7 ER) over 19 innings (1-1, 3.32) with 14 strikeouts and nine walks. In his last start on Sunday, Marquez got the win on the road against the Reds. He threw seven innings and gave up two runs on three hits, striking out four and walking three in the 8-4 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

The Arizona offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .232/.309/.392. Christian Walker leads the team in OPS at .816. The first baseman is slashing .237/.332/.484 with 32 home runs, 78 RBIs, and 72 runs over 134 games. Against righties like Marquez this season, the D-backs have a .710 OPS. Varsho is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .829 OPS in 352 at-bats. Colorado is slashing .258/.319/.399 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. C.J. Cron leads the team with a .799 OPS. The first baseman has 26 home runs, 90 RBIs, and 71 runs scored with a slash line of .265/.318/.481. Colorado is averaging 6.0 runs per game in the last five with a stronger slugging percentage (.418). The Rockies have a .690 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .842 OPS over 350 at-bats, Cron also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Arizona is 28-37 away from home in 2022, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Colorado has gone 38-33 at home this season, averaging 5.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.7. In the last 10 games between the teams at Coors Field, Colorado is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Arizona (5.4-5.1).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Diamondbacks are fourth in the NL West, 29 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. They are sixth in the Wild Card race, 10 games out of third. The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, 36 games behind the Dodgers.