D-backs Need Strong Start from Pfaadt to Win Rockies Series

Last year's postseason hero will start the 2024 season in another must-win game.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during workouts prior to Game 3 against the Texas Rangers. / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY

The Diamondbacks played very well in their first two games, with the pitching, offense, and defense being crisp. Saturday night was a deviation from that, as the team struggled to throw strikes to the bottom of the Rockies order. Despite that, the D-backs still have an opportunity to win this opening four-game series.

It starts with a strong start from right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. Pfaadt finished 2023 on a high note, pitching to a respectable 4.22 ERA in 13 appearances before become the team's unlikeliest hero in the National League Championship Series. He'll have a chance to build upon that in 2024.

Starting Pitching Matchup

Pfaadt features a four-seamer, sinker, curveball, sweeping slider, and a changeup. The fastball sits 92-97 MPH with a fairly average movement profile, but adds deception due to lower arm slot and attack angle. He'll use the sinker, sweeper, and changeup to attack the zone horizontally before turning to the four-seamer to get chases up. The right-hander pounds the zone, so expect the Rockies to be aggressive early in the count. Pfaadt has faced Colorado once, allowing three runs in 3 2/3 innings in a loss on September 5th.

Ryan Feltner has a 6.06 ERA in 32 career starts since the 2021 season. He features a four-seamer, sinker, curveball, slider, and a changeup. Feltner sits in the mid-90s, with an average fastball velocity above 94 MPH. The key will be for the D-backs to attack the fastball early in the count and not let him get to the slider and changeup late in the count. In two starts against Arizona, both at Coors Field, Feltner is 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA.

Lineups

Lineups for the Colorado Rockies (1-2) and Arizona Diamondbacks (2-1) for Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Chase Field. / Michael McDermott

Even though it's a Sunday game, there aren't many lineup changes. With a right-hander on the mound, Joc Pederson is back in the lineup. Pederson is 4-for-4 with two walks in his first six plate appearances of 2024. Tucker Barnhart will make his first start of 2024 behind the plate, as is typical standard operating procedure for a day game after a night game.

Christian Walker is 4-for-4 with two doubles and a home run against Feltner.