{"id":5462,"date":"2023-05-29T12:26:47","date_gmt":"2023-05-29T19:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=5462"},"modified":"2023-05-29T12:26:47","modified_gmt":"2023-05-29T19:26:47","slug":"diamondbacks-report-red-sox-rockies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/05\/29\/diamondbacks-report-red-sox-rockies\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamondbacks Report: Drop Two of Three to Red Sox; Three with Rockies Next"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diamondbacks Report: One of Three to Red Sox, Rockies Next<\/h2>\n

PHOENIX, May 29 \u2014 The Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> (30\u201323), second place in the NL West and 1 1\/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> (32\u201322) after dropping two of three to the Boston Red Sox<\/a> (28\u201325), continue a ten-game homestand Monday. For four days, the Colorado Rockies<\/a> (24\u201330) will be in town. The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, eight games behind the Dodgers. This edition of Diamondbacks Report will briefly review the Red Sox series before previewing the key details of the four games with the Rockies.<\/p>\n

Diamondbacks \u2013 Red Sox Series Summary<\/h3>\n

Game One was a 7\u20132 Red Sox victory in a game that didn\u2019t even feel like it was that<\/em> close. The struggles of highly touted rookie Diamondbacks pitching prospect Brandon Pfaadt<\/a><\/strong> continued, as the Red Sox punished every mistake he made. When Pfaadt left the game, he had given up five runs on eight hits after facing 19 hitters\u2026and it was still the fourth inning. That put the Diamondbacks in a 5\u20130 hole they never recovered from, thanks to the pitching of Chris Sale<\/a><\/strong>, Josh Winckowski<\/a><\/strong>, and Brennan Bernardino<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Game Two was a pitchers\u2019 duel highlighted by the return of Diamondbacks right-hander Zach Davies<\/a><\/strong> from the injured list. Davies only lasted into the fourth as well but had coughed up two runs. (Note: One was a runner inherited by Kyle Nelson<\/a><\/strong>.)<\/em> Nelson, Tommy Henry<\/a><\/strong>, Austin Adams<\/a><\/strong>, Scott McGough<\/a><\/strong>, and Miguel Castro<\/a><\/strong> combined for 5 2\/3 scoreless innings. But Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock<\/a><\/strong> shut down the Diamondbacks offense, limiting them to not only three hits but three baserunners<\/em> \u2014 two in the first inning (one as a solo home run) and one in the fifth. Kutter Crawford<\/a><\/strong>, Chris Martin<\/a><\/strong>, and Kenley Jansen<\/a><\/strong> combined for four perfect innings of relief as the Red Sox prevailed, 2\u20131.<\/p>\n

Game Three was another terrific start by Merrill Kelly<\/a><\/strong>, who received a postgame comparison to Greg Maddux<\/a><\/strong> from Red Sox manager Alex Cora<\/a><\/strong>. Corbin Carroll<\/a><\/strong> and Josh Rojas<\/a><\/strong> hit a two-run homer and RBI single, respectively in the first inning. Geraldo Perdomo<\/a><\/strong> cracked a leadoff homer in the second, giving the Diamondbacks all the runs they needed for their 4\u20132 victory.<\/p>\n

Diamondbacks and Rockies Storylines<\/h3>\n

The Diamondbacks snapped a three-game losing streak with their win over the Red Sox Sunday. They have not lost more than three in a row at any point in 2023 \u2014 and they\u2019ve only done that twice. In addition, the Diamondbacks have yet to be swept. Conversely, they have yet to sweep anyone. To keep pace with the Dodgers, and to hang onto the third-best record in the NL, they must win this series. Both the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves<\/a> (32\u201321) \u2014 the two teams ahead of them \u2014 are playing last-place teams. The Dodgers host the Washington Nationals<\/a> (23\u201330), while the Braves visit the hapless Oakland Athletics<\/a> (10\u201345).<\/p>\n

The Rockies, after an abysmal 8\u201320 start, have gone 16\u201310 since. Winners of five of their last seven, they find themselves a half-game out of fourth place. A series win here would probably get them into fourth place and would pull them within four games of .500, something that seemed farcical as little as a month ago. Especially impressive is that they\u2019ve played as well as they have despite the absence of C.J. Cron<\/a><\/strong>. The 2022 All-Star first baseman has been on the injured list since May 15 with back spasms.<\/p>\n

Pitching Matchups between the Diamondbacks and Rockies<\/h3>\n

Game One \u2014 Monday, May 29, 1:10 pm Arizona Time<\/h4>\n

Game One is a Memorial Day matchup between a pair of rookies, Rockies righty Karl Kauffmann<\/a><\/strong> (0\u20132, 9.35 ERA, 186 ERA-minus) and Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson<\/a><\/strong> (1\u20132, 5.02 ERA, 113 ERA-minus). This will be Kauffmann\u2019s third-ever major league game, so take these numbers with a grain of salt.<\/p>\n

In Kauffmann\u2019s appearances, two starts with neither as a quality start, he has struck out six, walked five, and has a 2.077 WHIP across 8 2\/3 innings. On average, he pitches 4 1\/3 innings per start and gets one run of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .371 against him, 119 points higher than the NL average of .252. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the NL average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kauffmann<\/td>\n2.077<\/td>\n14.3%<\/td>\n11.9%<\/td>\n2.4%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.346<\/em><\/td>\n22.5%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

In Nelson\u2019s ten appearances, all starts with three as a quality start, he has struck out 36, walked 15, and has a 1.365 WHIP across 52 innings. On average, he pitches 5 1\/3 innings per start and gets about five and a half runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .281 against him, 29 points higher than the NL average of .252. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the NL average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nelson<\/td>\n1.365<\/td>\n16.4%<\/td>\n6.9%<\/td>\n3.2%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.346<\/em><\/td>\n22.5%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matchups with Current Rosters<\/h5>\n

Kauffmann has neither faced the Diamondbacks nor anyone on the team\u2019s active roster.<\/p>\n

Nelson faced the Rockies<\/a> on April 30 in Denver. It was a start he\u2019d like to forget, allowing six runs on nine hits while walking one, striking out two, and surrendering a homer in four innings. The Diamondbacks lost that game, 12\u20134.<\/p>\n

Eight Rockies on the active roster faced Nelson in that game. One \u2014 Jurickson Profar<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 also faced Nelson six times in 2022 while with the San Diego Padres<\/a>. Overall, Profar is 4-for-9 against Nelson with two doubles and a strikeout. Ryan McMahon<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Charlie Blackmon<\/a><\/strong> and his legendary beard are 1-for-1 with an RBI, a walk, and a sacrifice fly. Elias Diaz<\/a><\/strong> is 2-for-2 with a double. Three Rockies are 1-for-2 \u2014 Harold Castro<\/a><\/strong>, Ezequiel Tovar<\/a><\/strong>, and Mike Moustakas<\/a><\/strong>, who also has two RBI. Randal Grichuk<\/a><\/strong> is 0-for-2 with a strikeout.<\/p>\n

Game Two \u2014 Tuesday, May 30, 6:40 pm Arizona Time<\/h4>\n

Game Two is the marquee matchup of the series. It features each team\u2019s ace, Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland<\/a><\/strong> (4\u20135, 3.86 ERA, 77 ERA-minus) and Diamondbacks righty Zac Gallen<\/a><\/strong> (6\u20132, 2.97 ERA, 67 ERA-minus).<\/p>\n

In Freeland\u2019s 11 appearances, all starts with six as a quality start, he has struck out 42, walked 14, and has a 1.286 WHIP across 58 1\/3 innings. On average, he pitches 5 1\/3 innings per start and gets about three and a half runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .270 against him, 18 points higher than the NL average of .252. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the NL average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Freeland<\/td>\n1.286<\/td>\n17.4%<\/td>\n5.8%<\/td>\n3.3%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.346<\/em><\/td>\n22.5%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

In Gallen\u2019s 11 appearances, all starts with six as a quality start, he has struck out 75, walked 14, and has a 1.020 WHIP across 66 2\/3 innings. On average, he pitches six innings per start and gets a shade under five runs of support per nine innings from his team while he\u2019s in the game. Opponents are batting .217 against him, 35 points lower than the NL average of .252. The following table compares his percentages and his WHIP to the NL average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nWHIP<\/td>\nK%<\/td>\nBB%<\/td>\nHR%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gallen<\/td>\n1.020<\/td>\n28.3%<\/td>\n5.3%<\/td>\n0.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NL Average<\/em><\/td>\n1.346<\/em><\/td>\n22.5%<\/em><\/td>\n8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matchups with Current Rosters<\/h5>\n

Freeland has faced the Diamondbacks 18 times, all starts. He has gone 3\u20137 with a 5.34 ERA, 69 strikeouts, 33 walks, 16 homers, and a 1.433 WHIP across 97 2\/3 innings. Four Diamondbacks have faced him 30 or more times. Ketel Marte<\/a><\/strong>, with 44 plate appearances, is 12-for-37 with four doubles, two homers, five RBI, six walks, seven strikeouts, and a hit-by-pitch. Evan Longoria<\/a><\/strong> has faced him 41 times and is 11-for-36 with two doubles, a triple, two homers, six RBI, four walks, eight strikeouts, and a hit-by-pitch. Nick Ahmed<\/a><\/strong>, with 39 plate appearances, is 8-for-35 with four doubles, two homers, eight RBI, two walks, five strikeouts, and two sacrifice flies. Christian Walker<\/a><\/strong>, in 30 plate appearances, is 7-for-27 with two doubles, two homers, five RBI, two walks, two strikeouts, and a sacrifice fly. Also of note is that he has grounded into four double plays.<\/p>\n

Seven other Diamondbacks on the active roster have faced Freeland. Emmanuel Rivera<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-6. Josh Rojas is 2-for-5 with a strikeout. Pavin Smith<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-5 with a strikeout. Both Lourdes Gurriel Jr.<\/a><\/strong> and Geraldo Perdomo are 1-for-2 with a walk. Gabriel Moreno<\/a><\/strong> is 1-for-2 with a strikeout, while Corbin Carroll is 0-for-2.<\/p>\n

Zac Gallen vs. the Rockies<\/h5>\n

Gallen has faced the Rockies more than any other major league team \u2014 12 times, all starts. He has gone 5\u20131 with a 2.66 ERA, 85 strikeouts, 20 walks, five homers, and a 1.155 WHIP across 71 innings. Eight Rockies on the active roster have faced him. Charlie Blackmon is 10-for-33 with three doubles, a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and 12 strikeouts. Ryan McMahon is 6-for-30 with two doubles, four RBI, four walks, and 10 strikeouts. Jurickson Profar is 3-for-10 with an RBI, four walks, and two strikeouts. Kris Bryant<\/a><\/strong> is 2-for-9 with a double, a homer, two RBI, three walks, and two strikeouts. The other Rockies to face Gallen are Elias Diaz, 1-for-6 with two strikeouts; Mike Moustakas, 1-for-6 with a strikeout; Randal Grichuk, 1-for-4 with a strikeout; and Austin Wynns<\/a><\/strong>, 0-for-4.<\/p>\n

Game Three \u2014 Wednesday, May 31, 6:40 pm Arizona Time<\/h4>\n
\n

#Rockies<\/a>\u202f\u202f\u202f RHP Dinelson Lamet<\/a><\/strong>, after three strong injury rehab starts (back stiffness) at Triple-A @ABQTopes<\/a>, threw today at @CoorsField<\/a> and will be part of the next road trip. He’ll probably start Wednesday at #Dbacks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) May 28, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n