Diamondbacks at Rockies
Nolan Arenado's bat is scorching hot and he looks to continue his tear when the Colorado Rockies open a three-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. Arenado has three homers over the past two games with Colorado scoring a season-high 11 in each while beating the Milwaukee Brewers.
Arenado has overcome a slow start to slug nine homers over his last 16 games after hitting zero over his first 15. "I always believe that I can get better and feel better, but I'm pretty fortunate to feel like I am right now," Arenado told reporters after Thursday's 11-6 triumph. "Early in the season, I wasn't feeling good at all, so I'm just happy that I'm feeling better now, to be able to drive the ball out and hit the ball hard." The Diamondbacks swept a two-game set from the New York Yankees and have won seven of their last nine games as they begin a six-game road trip. "I feel we have a very good team," Arizona shortstop Ketel Marte told reporters after the club improved to 18-13 with Wednesday's win. "We have a team here with a lot of talent and we can compete with anybody."
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (1-1, 4.18 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (0-2, 11.34)
Ray picked up his first win of the season in his last outing when he gave up three runs and five hits over five innings in a victory over the Chicago Cubs. The 27-year-old has yet to pitch more than six innings in a start this season and walked four or more batters on three occasions. Ray is 3-4 with a 5.77 ERA in 12 career starts against the Rockies and has struggled with Charlie Blackmon (17-for-36, four homers) and Arenado (11-for-31, three blasts).
Anderson has allowed at least five runs in each of his four starts and served up six homers across 16 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old has a subpar 2.16 WHIP and is allowing opposing batters to hit .361 against him. Anderson is 2-0 with a 5.77 ERA in eight career appearances (six starts) versus the Diamondbacks and has experienced difficulties with Nick Ahmed (5-for-10, two homers).
WALK-OFFS
1. Marte has hit seven homers in 30 games, half of the career-best total that he recorded last season in 153 contests.
2. Colorado SS Trevor Story is just 1-for-15 over the past four games.
3. Arizona RHP Greg Holland has allowed just two hits over 11 scoreless innings while converting all seven save opportunities.