Know Your Foe #46: D-Backs look to trip up hot Rockies in Denver

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (57-83, 5th in NL West)

2010 Record vs. Rockies: 6-6

Last Series vs. Rockies: August 20-22 (W 2-1)

In what was largely a pitching-and-defense set of games, the D-Backs outscored the Rockies 7-5 en route to the series victory. In the first game, Arizona was held in check by Colorado rookie Esmil Rogers, while Ian Kennedy scattered ten hits in five innings but got away with allowing only three runs. The D-Backs were rewarded for keeping themselves within striking distance when, in the ninth inning against Rockies closer Huston Street, they plated two runs on a two-out double by Miguel Montero. Kelly Johnson won it in the bottom half of the next inning as he doubled in Justin Upton, who had reached via single.

Game 2 saw Barry Enright keep the Rockies' bats under wraps for 6.2 innings, as he allowed just a run on three hits. Ubaldo Jimenez tossed a quality start of his own, but was hurt by a two-run homer off the bat of Upton and thus, the D-Backs took their second straight series over Colorado.

Jhoulys Chacin helped the Rockies avoid the sweep, as he pitched 7.2 scoreless innings and struck out nine in the series finale. Daniel Hudson was terrific in his own right, as he tossed seven scoreless innings and also struck out nine. However, the Rockies broke through against Aaron Heilman for a run in the eighth and their bullpen held serve.

Recent series results: L 1-2 vs. Houston, L 1-2 vs. San Francisco

Upton, who is arguably Arizona's best player, has not appeared in a game since August 30th, as he has been day-to-day with a left shoulder strain. It doesn't appear likely that he'll play in this series, either. The D-Backs have gone 3-4 in his absence. After winning the first game of the series against Houston, Arizona lost four straight to the Astros and Giants before taking Wednesday's series finale over SF. The D-Backs were outscored 21-17 over the course of the two series losses, which shows that despite getting pretty good pitching, their offense has experienced a rough patch. Johnson has been Arizona's hottest hitter over the past couple of series (by a wide margin), as he's posted a 1.031 OPS with a home run. On the flip side, Mark Reynolds (.071 OPS) has really been scuffling.

Each of the three starting pitchers that will see action in the Colorado series posted quality starts in their last outings, albeit against much more impatient (if not inferior) offenses.. Joe Saunders went seven innings against Houston and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out four. Rodrigo Lopez followed that up in the series finale with a six-inning, three-run and five-strikeout performance. In the series opener against the Giants, Ian Kennedy tossed eight scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while punching out six. It will be interesting to see how they handle themselves against the Rockies' streaking bats.

Friday-Sunday: 3-game series @ Coors Field

Expected Pitching Matchups

Friday, 10 September 2010 @ 7:10pm MT

Saturday, 11 September 2010 @ 6:10pm MT

Sunday, 12 September 2010 @ 1:10pm MT

More after the jump...

Expected Lineup

Bench

Closer

Injuries