Colorado Rockies game no. 45 thread: Merrill Kelly vs. Kyle Freeland

The Colorado Rockies (17-27) are again at Coors Field after a troublesome Pennsylvania swing, opening a six-game homestand with a weekend collection in opposition to the Arizona Diamondbacks (20-22). Colorado went 2-4 by Philadelphia and Pittsburghand yesterday’s 7-2 loss to the Pirates got here with a bigger concern than the rating: Chase Dollander left within the second inning and has now been positioned on the 15-day injured checklist with an elbow pressure. The dangerous information resulted in a collection of roster movesand Sterling Thompson (No. 13 PuRP) is reportedly headed to Denver.

Colorado additionally enters this homestand making an attempt to cease a May slide that has left them 3-9 on the month.

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The third-place Diamondbacks are coming off a painful 6-5 walk-off loss to Texas on Wednesday, and the general offensive manufacturing has been underwhelming. Still, they nonetheless have Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marteand former Rockie Nolan Arenado — who has a 118 wRC+ with six residence runs on the yr.

The Rockies are 8-11 with a .767 OPS at Coors Field and can flip to veteran lefty Kyle Freeland as they give the impression of being to return to the win column.

Freeland enters at 1-4 with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP, and his latest stretch since getting back from the injured checklist has been uneven — 16 earned runs in 14 1/3 innings throughout three begins. Freeland continues to be getting hitters to chase, and he has carried out a superb job limiting walks. The drawback is that the contact has been too loud when opponents sq. him up, particularly in opposition to the fastball.

Marte has hit Freeland arduous, going 17-for-48 with three residence runs and a 1.124 OPS in opposition to him.

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Merrill Kelly takes the mound for Arizona, and its 2026 numbers haven’t been nice. The veteran righty enters with a 7.62 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP by 5 begins, with arduous contact and walks each exhibiting up as issues. His four-seamer, changeup, and cutter have all been hit arduous. But Kelly has been excellent in opposition to Colorado over his profession. In 17 begins in opposition to the Rockies, he’s 9-3 with a 3.25 ERA, 102 strikeouts, and a 1,130 WHIP.

Ezequiel Tovar has had a brutal begin to the season, however he has dealt with Kelly: .438 with two residence runs in 16 at-bats.

A very good night time will not repair all that. But a gentle Freeland begin, a number of actual swings in opposition to Kelly, and a win over a division opponent can be a good way to start out the homestand.

Now for the small print…

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First Pitch: 6:40 PM MDT

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Diamondbacks SB Nation website: AZ Snake Pit

Lineups: