D-backs Attempt Series Win in Colorado

Slade Cecconi will make the second start of his career today

The Diamondbacks go for the series win against the Rockies in Denver today at 12:10 P.M. Arizona Time. Last night the D-backs took game two by scoring five runs in the top of the ninth inning to win 8-5. In the opener the bullpen collapsed in the 8th inning turning a 4-2 lead into a 6-4 loss. It's been a Coors Field kind of series. 

Lineups

Michael McDermott

Christian Walker has hit safely in five straight games and in 11 out of 13 in the month of August. He's 16-for 47. .340,  1.006 OPS with two doubles, four homers and 10 RBI. Three of those homers have come in the last four games. 

Pitching Matchup

Slade Cecconi will get the ball to start in this game. The rookie right-hander has appeared in two games since being called up on August 2nd. He pitched into the fifth inning against the Giants in a no decision, giving up two runs on four hits, a walk and two strikeouts. His next outing came nine days later in relief on August 11th, recording five outs while giving up one hit and one hit batter.  His line so far is 6 1/3 IP, 5H, 2ER, 1BB, 3K, 1 HB.

Cecconi has thrown 48 four seam fastballs, averaging 94.1 MPH. Early in games we've seen some 96 and even 97, but the velocity wanes after the first couple dozen pitches. He's using his slider as the primary secondary, but also utilizing a change and a curveball.  It's not exactly clear how far Torey Lovullo will let Cecconi go today. While not quite a bullpen game, it's possible the pen will be called upon to get more than 12 outs again today. 

Austin Gomber, LHP, 9-9, 5.33 ERA in 125 innings has been a decent innings eater for the Rockies. His ERA translates to a 95 ERA+, which is only 5% worse than the league average once adjusted for Coors Field. He leads the team in starts, innings,  and pitcher wins.  He's been very good in his last four starts, allowing just four earned runs in 23 innings, without allowing a homer. Three of those starts were on the road however.  For the year he has a 6.82 ERA at home and 3.59 ERA away. He also has an extremely large reverse split this year, as left hand batters have hit .373 with a 1.086 OPS, but right hand batters are hitting .274 with a .782 OPS. 

Gomber's fastball averages 90.7 MPH, and he throws it 43% of the time. He throws his Change almost exclusively against right hand batters and will throw the slider as his primary secondary against left hand batters. He's mix in the curveball against both side batters.  Gomber went six innings giving up just one run against the D-backs on April 30th picking up the win. 

Bullpens

Everyone but Scott McGough, Miguel Castro and Kyle Nelson worked in last night's game. Paul Sewald and Kevin Ginkel have each worked three of the last four days. Bryce Jarvis and Luis Frias are both likely unavailable due to number of pitches thrown last night. 

The Rockies have used Justin Lawrence, Matt Koch, and Brent Suter each of the last two games, so they may try to stay away from these three. Everyone else should be available.