Game Preview: Hale looks to extend a winning streak

Don't look now, but the Rockies have won three straight ball games. They're still in last place, but I like to look for positives. David Hale is starting for the Rockies, and he's going to be trying to extend the streak to four games, and earn the series win over the Diamondbacks to boot. That would be nice.

Carlos Gonzalez and his strained hand are both not in the lineup. The Rockies said he was day-to-day, but now he has missed two games in a row after an off day. Has the Chtullu monster returned to its former domain? Surely not. Probably a lesser demon, like Baal or Gorlack. Even a mid-level ghostbuster could get rid of those guys.

As a consequence, Ben Paulsen is forced back to the outfield and Wilin Rosario will man first base. Needless to say, the defense takes a hit with this lineup. But what else can you do?

Despite getting kicked around in his last start (five runs in five innings), Hale maintains a pretty awesome 8/1 K/BB ratio. His ERA is above five, but xFIP loves him (3.29).

Allen Webster is making his third start as a Diamondback. His first two were, well, awful. His ERA is 6.55 and he has walked more than he has struck out. Funnily enough, his BABIP allowed is only .172, so he has actually gotten pretty lucky so far.

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<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
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<th align="left">ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS</th>
<th align="left">COLORADO ROCKIES</th>
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<tr><td class="td-last td-name">A.J. Pollock - CF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Charlie Blackmon - CF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">David Peralta - LF</td><td class="td-first td-name">DJ LeMahieu - 2B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Paul Goldschmidt - 1B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Troy Tulowitzki - SS</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Yasmany Tomas - RF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Nolan Arenado - 3B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Jake Lamb - 3B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Ben Paulsen - LF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Chris Owings - 2B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Wilin Rosario - 1B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Jarrod Saltalamacchia - C</td><td class="td-first td-name">Nick Hundley - C</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Nick Ahmed - SS</td><td class="td-first td-name">Brandon Barnes - RF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Allen Webster - RHP</td><td class="td-first td-name">David Hale - RHP</td></tr></tbody>
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Game's at 6:40 Mountain time, weather permitting (Twitter tells me the tarp is on the field, so, whelp). Go Rockies.