Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Pregame — April 28, 2023
DENVER, Apr. 28 — It is Game One of a three-game set between the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks and the host Colorado Rockies, which is the first game of a five-game road trip for the Diamondbacks. For the Rockies, it is the first game of a six-game homestand. Right-hander Merrill Kelly will start for the Diamondbacks against Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland. Prior to the game, Rockies manager Bud Black and Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo each met with media on hand. Here are the highlights of their conferences.
Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo
The Diamondbacks, given how the off days line up, could very easily use a four-man rotation until the next homestand. Lovullo said that some of the pitchers could have an extra day of rest, while the others will have normal rest.
Given Ketel Marte’s recent hamstring injury history in Denver, the team is monitoring him closely. They will manage off-days to try and maximize his health.
Lovullo is liking how well Carroll has hit lefties and is going to keep him in the sixth spot of the batting order.
Rockies Manager Bud Black
The big Colorado Rockies news Monday was the return of pitcher German Marquez to the injured list. He went on the 15-day IL Friday with right elbow inflammation. Black called the move “a tough one for sure.” He expounded, “(Marquez) had such a good spring and was off to a good start. So we’re gonna have to absorb this loss for a while now. But it was tough. If you know how I personally feel about German, his place on this team, and what he means to our team. So it’s a tough one, but we’re hoping for the best.”
This injury was strange, given that Marquez felt fine for several days after coming back and all of a sudden didn’t. Early predictions are that he’ll miss six weeks or more. Marquez saw Dr. Thomas J. Noonan — Rockies medical director — Thursday and will undergo further examinations and testing over the next few days, according to Black.
In other injury news, outfielder Randal Grichuk is at Coors Field and is “ready to play Major League Baseball.”
Pitching News
Rookie right-hander Noah Davis, who is starting Saturday, has allowed only one earned run across his two starts, 9 2/3 innings worth. When asked by reporters what his biggest improvement has been, Davis gave two answers. The first was not falling behind in the counts and walking opponents as much. When learning about this, an excited Black grinned and exclaimed, “YES!” The second answer also pleased Black, himself a retired pitcher — he controls situations where runners get on base than he used to.
A big concern for the Rockies regarding Freeland is his slider. It has been hit hard so far this season, with opponents batting 9-for-22 (.409) off it. Of the nine hits, six have been for extra-bases, with four homers and two doubles. Black said the location has been killer on this pitch. To get the opposing numbers under control, Black said, “He’s got to get it down and in to the right-hand hitter. In the event he throws it backdoor, he’s got to make sure it nips the outside corner and doesn’t get too much of the plate.”
Rockies Reports on Merrill Kelly and on the Speedy Diamondbacks
Black called Merrill Kelly “a really good pitcher.” What has surprised Black about him is his high walk percentage, which is currently fifth in the majors. Black said, “He’s a strike thrower. His career numbers tell you he’s been a strike thrower. I look at the pitcher and still see a guy that throws strikes and attacks you in the strike zone.” He went on to say that the team will talk about all of this and “make him throw strikes.”
The speed the Diamondbacks have, combined with the gaps that are in Coors Field, have made them tough for the Rockies to prepare for. Black said about the Diamondbacks, “You gotta be aware, gotta get to the ball quickly when it’s hit. Outfielders gotta charge the ball. Carroll, Thomas, Marte — those guys can really run. So when that ball is put on the ground in the infield, our infielders know we have to make a clean play and an accurate, strong throw, because they get down the line well.
“If a ground ball does go through, like I mentioned, our outfielders got to charge the ball hard, get it back into the infield. We’ve got to be aware of those guys going first to third on hits. A lot of times you can’t stop that, based on where the ball is hit. But again, charging the ball hard from the outfield perspective is what you have to do.”
Seeing the Game
First pitch is at 6:40 MDT/5:40 Arizona Time. The Diamondbacks broadcast will be on Bally Sports Arizona and ESPN Phoenix 620 AM, while the Rockies broadcast will be on AT&T SportsNet and KOA NewsRadio.
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Main Photo:
DENVER (Apr. 28) — The scoreboard at Coors Field prior to the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. (Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay)
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