After dropping dropping their last two games, the Rockies will try to end the first month of the season with a W and do what the Atlanta Braves were unable to last Sunday - get a hit off of Madison Bumgarner.
Bumgarner’s (2-2, 6.31 ERA) last start was one for the history books... or maybe not. He threw a seven-inning, complete game shutout and did not allow a hit, though by MLB’s rules it is not an official no-hitter (let us know if you think it should be!). Bumgarner is attempting to regain the form that once made him a postseason hero for the San Francisco Giants - his first two seasons in Arizona have not gone as swimmingly as he would like, posting a 6.48 ERA in nine starts last season, and up to a 6.31 ERA thus far into 2021. Bumgarner’s last start against the Rockies on April 7th did not go well for him either, as he went five innings and gave up five earned runs against two walks and four strikeouts.
Jon Gray (3-1, 2.54 ERA) is off to a stellar start this season. In his last outing on Sunday at Coors, he gave up just two earned runs (a pair of Bryce Harper solo homers) in his six innings of work, and added an RBI base hit of his own in the Rockies victory. In his last start vs Arizona on April 8th, took a no-hitter bid into the seventh inning (this one would have counted, if completed) despite not having his best stuff. He may have an even better performance in store if he can bring his premier game on Friday.
The Rockies scored early but lost their momentum down the stretch in their loss to Arizona on Thursday, and will try to string some hits together against MadBum. Of note, Charlie Blackmon (who continues to heat up, despite the recent losses) owns a career .361 batting average against the lefty, while Trevor Story is hitting .195 in 41 career at-bats (though he does have 10 RBI). On Arizona’s side, David Peralta is hitting a monster .423 in his 26 at-bats vs Gray. Newly-called up first baseman Matt Adams may make his 2021 season debut at some point tomorrow, potentially in a pinch-hitting role to avoid the left-on-left matchup. He has not faced Bumgarner in his career.
Start Time: 7:40 p.m. MDT
TV: AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (COL), MLB.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
Lineups:
Friday night baseball in the desert is on deck pic.twitter.com/H2ACOxUqu7
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) May 1, 2021
Game 26. #RattleOn pic.twitter.com/CtYabdoyIs
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 30, 2021