Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks series preview

The Colorado Rockies are on their worst stretch of the 2017 season, losing eight straight games. They continue their nine-game road trip as they head to Chase Field for a weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Will the Rox find their winning ways again in the desert?

The Law of Averages

Both the Rockies and Diamondbacks are good baseball teams. They’ve proven that … but they’re at different points of their season. The Rockies can’t find a way to win while the D-Backs have won 16 of their last 20 games coming into Thursday. This is why I believe things will turn around for the Rockies this weekend. They won’t stay this cold forever and the D-Backs won’t be this hot forever.

The Major League Baseball season is 162 games for a reason. Every team will see tough times. T he Cubs last year had a period where they lost 9 out of 10 games right before the All Star break.

Colorado went 5-4 at Chase Field last year. They’re 5-4 against Arizona this year. These two teams in recent history have been even with each other. That is good news for the Rockies as they hope to turn things around.

Sunday will also be a big game as the Rockies are 4-2 in games that end road trips this year.

Jon Gray’s return and pitching match-ups

Friday will be the return of Jon Gray, as he faces Robbie Ray. Gray can be the the spark that the Rockies pitching needs. In his three starts this season, he wasn’t great … but the Rockies don’t need great. During this losing streak, they have had an 8.16 ERA, a league worst. Ray, who has been having a career year this year doesn’t have a good history against the Rockies. He carries a 5.10 ERA against Colorado in eight career starts.

Saturday will feature Tyler Chatwood and Zack Greinke. Greinke has had a bounceback year, posting a 3.08 ERA in 16 starts. However, in three starts against Colorado, he has a 3.98 ERA and has given up nine home runs.

German Marquez and Taijuan Walker will go in the finale. Marquez has three starts against Arizona this year, and in two of the three he has gone six innings, allowing one run or less. This should be the weekend the rotation gets back to its earlier ways.

Two Rockies hitters with success against the D-Backs

Charlie Blackmon has had a monster year in 2017. He has also had a lot of success against the Diamondbacks this year. In nine games against Arizona, Blackmon has a .342 batting average with a .375 on base percentage, including a triple and 2 home runs. The Rockies leadoff hitter seems to be the key to this team as during this losing streak he’s batting .194. During the skid, he has just one home run and 2 RBI … which came against Arizona.

Also look for good production from Mark Reynolds, who also has solid numbers against the D-Backs. He’s batting .300 with 5 home runs against Arizona this season. Both their bats will be needed to get Colorado back on track.

Next: Colorado's best and worst at the 2017 midway point

Prediction: The Rockies take two out of three and head back home feeling good.

I believe Jon Gray will deliver a quality start and the Rox will take game one. All it takes is one to get a good team back on track. The team has good numbers against Arizona, both in the pitching and batting matchups. Getting back to Colorado with a series win will be just what the team needs.

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