Tommy Henry Gets a Coors Field Start for Diamondbacks

The Left-hander hopes to have his best command in the challenging environment

The Diamondbacks play the Colorado Rockies this evening in game two of a three game series at 5:10 P.M. MST. Last night the D-backs took game one by a score of 9-1, improving their record to 15-12. They remain a game ahead of the Dodgers and two ahead of the Padres in the NL West. The Rockies are off to one of their worst starts in franchise history with an 8-19 record and are in last place in the division.

Pitching Matchup

Left-hander Tommy Henry (0-0, 6.23 ERA) is making his second start of the year for the D-backs. In his first outing he went 4.1 innings against the Royals giving up 3 runs on four hits including a homer,  and four walks, with one strikeout. In 10 career starts Henry has a 5.44 ERA and 6.11 FIP. 

Henry's fastball, never a high velocity offering to begin with, was down to 90.4 MPH compared to 91.6 in 2022.  His changeup was very effective in the his initial outing however.  Considering how difficult it is to spin a breaking ball in Coors Field, that could be an important pitch for him once again. The key for Henry is command. He doesn't have the stuff to get away with mistakes so needs to be in control from the outset. 

Noah Davis, (0-0, 0.93 ERA in 9.2 IP) is a 26 year old right hander making his third start of the season. While he doesn't have a decision yet, he pitched very well at Seattle and Philadelphia in his previous two outings. He's struck out 10 batters while walking just three and giving up two runs, one earned so far. 

This is Davis' first ever game at Coors Field however. Last year  he made his debut with a relief appearance at Dodger Stadium for his lone outing of 2022.  Davis is primarily a sinker/slider pitcher that hits 94 MPH with the fastball. He will also mix in a curve, cutter and changeup however. 

Lineups

Jack Sommers

Corbin Carroll has a seven game hitting streak and is hitting .478 (11 for 23) with four doubles and triple during this stretch.  He's also taken a base on balls in five straight games. Carroll had played 16 games without taking a walk while striking out 15 times. Since that time however he's walked eight times and struck out just six times in his last 11 games. 

Ketel Marte is getting a day off today. Twice in the last couple of years Marte has injured his hamstrings while playing in Denver, so this is cautionary. Josh Rojas gets the start at second base in his place.  Emmanuel Rivera is at third, and is 4-7, all singles, since getting called up. 

C.J. Cron and Kris Bryant are the two biggest threats against Henry, as they've crushed left-hand starting pitching. Here are the numbers of the Rockies hitters who are in lineup today against left-hand starters. 

Baseball Reference