Wade MileyThe D-backs and the Rockies meet for the first time this season at Chase Field with the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

The Rockies, after winning two out of three in Los Angeles this weekend, are 14-12, tied for second with the Dodgers and only 1 1/2 games behind the Giants, who are atop the National League West.

Meanwhile, the D-backs lost two out of three to the Phillies at home where their record is 2-13. They’re overall 8-20 mark puts them dead last in the NL West and their .286 winning percentage is the worst in the Major Leagues.

Still, there are positives. The starting rotation, which is also the worst in the big leagues, has come back in the last four games to contribute four quality starts. Only Wade Miley, pitching against Morales on Monday night, went less than six innings in his last start last Wednesday against the Cubs in the 100th birthday game at Wrigley Field.

With left-hander Randy Wolf waiting in the wings and rounding into shape at Triple-A Reno, D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said that he and upper management are reviewing the D-backs pitching every day. The rotation is set through the three-game Rockies series, but beyond that is anybody’s guess.

Wolf, who has recovered from his second Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, had a good spring pitching for the Mariners, but declined a Major League contract over a dispute with Seattle management. He subsequently was signed by the D-backs to a Minor League deal and is 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 17 innings over the course of three starts.

The Rockies don’t have much of a playoff history, but the formula for when they do make it is to dominate at home and hold serve on the road. By taking two of three from the Dodgers, the Rockies improved to .500 in National League West road games.

 

Source: MLB