Diamondbacks series preview: Looking for a better story against the Rockies

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Apr 25, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Pitching Matchups (All Games on FSAZ, Arizona Sports 98.7 F.M.)

Game 1: RHP Tyler Chatwood (2-2, 3.47 ERA) vs. LHP Robbie Ray (1-0, 3.80 ERA) 6:40pm

Game 2: LHP Chris Rusin (1-0, 2.45 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Greinke (2-2, 6.16 ERA) 6:40pm

Game 3: RHP Chad Bettis (2-1, 3.77 ERA) vs. RHP Shelby Miller (0-2, 8.69 ERA)

Chatwood makes the start in Game 1 for the Rockies after his scheduled start against the Pirates on Thursday was pushed back due to a rainout in Denver. Chatwood had no command in his last outing against the Dodgers allowing three runs in four innings throwing 95 pitches. The key for Chatwood is to get ahead in the count and pitch in more 0-2, and 1-2 counts.

Ray had his worst outing of his 2016 campaign last time out against the Pirates. The walks and foul pitches came back to bite Ray in that inning. Ray needs to locate all of his pitches, and put hitters away with four pitches or less.

Rusin is replacing Jordan Lyles in the Rockies’ rotation after 9.2 scoreless innings in the bullpen. He made 22 starts in 2015, going 6-10 with a 5.33 ERA in 131.2 innings. Both right-handed and left-handed batters hit over .300 against him, and his ERA away from Coors Field was eight points higher (5.37) than his home ERA (5.29).

Greinke has struggled with his command in his three starts at home, compling a 9.72 ERA in three starts compared to a 1.93 ERA in two starts on the road.

But on the Colorado side, Bettis has been dominant in his last three starts, but the Rockies have lost the last two thanks to one mistake here and there with the long ball. He has given up four home runs in 31.0 innings pitched. His command has been impeccable compiling a 22/8 K/BB ratio.

Miller’s command and mechanics were much better in his last start against the Cardinals. The big inning bit him and at the end of the night he allowed five runs in five innings. Five run innings have been a story for D-backs starters this year, and that was the story for Miller.