Series Preview: Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks

Jun 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder B. Paulsen (10) hits for an RBI in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Diamondbacks 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

SERIES KEYS FOR THE ROCKIES

Time to score some runs, fellas

The Rockies have scored 20 runs in their six road games on this trip thus far, and were held to a whopping four runs across an entire three-game series in Oakland (it’s a wonder they won one of those three games). Considering their last road trip (14 runs in 6 games), the first six games of this trip were an offensive boom, but it’s still not good enough to consistently win games.

Obviously, the bats need to show up in Phoenix, and considering the Rockies get one game against a struggling starter (Jeremy Hellickson) and one game where they’ll probably only need to score a couple runs behind their own ace (Jorge De La Rosa), it’s entirely realistic to expect the Rockies to run into two wins this weekend. We’ll see.

No Tulo, No Problem?

Now that we’ve seen it happen time and time again, it appears the Rockies are consistent about resting Troy Tulowitzki on day games immediately following night games, which means there’s a very good chance he is going to get the day off on Sunday. That’s kind of unfortunate; besides the obvious, Jorge De La Rosa is going to throw on Sunday, so you’d like to give your club the best chance to win with your leader in the lineup as your ace takes the mound.

Nevertheless, it’s safe to assume Walt Weiss is going to be careful with Tulo as they try to keep him healthy throughout the year. With that, the Rockies need to figure out a way to win games with Daniel Descalso and Rafael Ynoa in the starting lineup. (Interestingly, the Rockies are 12-6 when Descalso starts, which is pretty good, and 6-9 when Ynoa starts, which is not as bad as I had thought.)

Win De La Rosa Day, Part Two!

The Rockies have Jorge De La Rosa pitching well right now, and through luck, they’ve set him up at the right place and the right time — a day game on Sunday against his counterpart, Rubby De La Rosa. Jorge pitched well in the last outing against Rubby, but left after five innings due to a cut on his finger.

Now, Jorge gets to do what he does so well — day games — and keep his hot streak going (one run allowed in his last two starts/twelve innings) as he’ll try to give the Rockies a chance to salvage a game on Sunday, regardless of how the first three contests in this series go for the club.

Could It Be Chacin?!

The Diamondbacks, as of press time, haven’t announced their Saturday night starter. It could be Patrick Corbin (more on that below), or it could be… Jhoulys Chacin. He threw really well in AAA with the Indians, and then after opting out of his deal, did so again with the Dbacks in Reno this week. Wouldn’t that be poetic justice for him to face his former big league club in his first start back in the big leagues this year? At least Rockies’ hitters will be pretty familiar with his stuff.

Next: Let's Meet The Arizona Diamondbacks