Diamondbacks series preview: Opening against the Rockies

By Christopher Gaine

Apr 3, 2016

Mar 14, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws the ball in the first inning during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

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Tale of the Tape:

2015 record: Diamondbacks (79-83), Rockies (68-94)

Spring Training Record: Diamondbacks (24-8), Rockies (15-13)

Offense: Diamondbacks (.264/.324/.414, 2nd in NL runs scored), Rockies (.265/.315/.432, 1st in NL runs scored)

Team ERA: Diamondbacks (4.04, 9th in NL), Rockies (5.04, 15th in NL)

This will be a matchup of the National League’s two best offenses in 2015. However, the Rockies will not have the privelige of playing at Coors Field, and the Diamondbacks will be without Pollock. Both teams will be at a disadvantage here, but the Rockies still have the better lineup in this series– even without the suspended Jose Reyes.

There’s no question that the Diamondbacks have better pitching. The Rockies had the worst team ERA by .35 runs last season, which is partially due to the altitude and partially due to an inept pitching– they do not have any starting pitchers with an ERA beneath 4.00 last season.