D’backs vs. Rockies Series Preview

Four days after playing a three-game set in Denver, the Rockies and D’backs square off for four games in Chase Field starting today.

The Rockies won two-of-three in a hard-fought series in Colorado, with all three games decided by less than two runs, two by only one run. The D’backs will be looking to exact some revenge at home.

 Game 1 (Thursday):

Matchup – Trevor Cahill (0-3, 3.60 ERA) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (2-1, 2.82 ERA)

These two faced off on April 20 with De La Rosa coming out on top. De La Rosa threw six shutout innings, striking out four and only allowing two hits. Cahill was solid in seven innings, allowing four runs, three earned, striking out three. De La Rosa got the win for the Rockies. Cahill will be trying for his first win of the season with a more complete effort tonight.

Game 2 (Friday):

Matchup – Brandon McCarthy (0-2, 7.06 ERA) vs. Juan Nicasio (2-0, 5.31 ERA)

These is yet another rematch of starters as McCarthy and Nicasio met on Sunday as the D’backs salvaged the final game in the series with a win. McCarthy had his best outing of a rough start to the season, going six innings, allowing four runs with two strike outs. However, three of the runs were in a fluky third that included four-straight soft singles. Nicasio lasted only 4.1 innings before being knocked out on a pair of runs in the fifth. He walked three and struck out three in the short outing.

 Game 3 (Saturday):

Matchup – Wade Miley (2-0, 2.77 ERA) vs. Jeff Francis (1-2, 8.44 ERA)

Miley would be the D’backs’ best starter so far this season if it wasn’t for the guy on the bump Sunday for the D’backs. Still, Miley has had no signs of a regression many thought would be coming after his 2012 campaign. He’s been fairly dominant in four starts, striking out 23 in 26 innings and only allowing seven walks. His last outing was perhaps his most dominant, striking out seven, walking none, in 6.2 innings against the Giants. He would have had the win if not for blown save later in the game. If there’s been one downfall for Miley so far, it’s that he has yet to complete seven innings in any start so far. Francis has been rocked in his last three games. His only solid outing was six-inning start against the Padres on April 5, Francis’ first of the season. Outside of that, he has yet to complete five innings, giving up seven runs in 1.2 innings against the Giants, eight in 4.1 against the Mets and four in four innings against the Braves in his last start.

Game 4 (Sunday):

Matchup – Patrick Corbin (2-0, 1.71 ERA) vs. Jon Garland (2-1, 4.68 ERA)

Corbin has been absolutely lights out so far this season. His velocity is up and his slider has been the most consistent and most dangerous its been in Corbin’s short career, as vetted here. Corbin was perhaps his most dominant in his last start, tossing 7.1 innings, only allowing two runs on seven strike outs and no walks against the Giants on Tuesday. Corbin hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any start he’s had and hasn’t thrown less than six innings. Garland was throwing pretty well before a six-earned outing in six innings on Tuesday against the Braves. However, Garland was probably asking to get hit hard since he hasn’t struck out more than four in any outing, accumulating only 11 strike outs in 25 innings so far this season.

The D’backs are 1-2 against the Rockies this season and were 10-8 against them in 2012.