Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies Pick & Prediction MARCH 29th 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks started their season with a bang, absolutely crushing the Colorado Rockies 16-1 in a game that set new franchise records. Their unbelievable 14-run third inning left everyone, from fans to players, totally amazed and set the perfect vibe for what Arizona hopes will be a fantastic series.

Record-Setting Third Inning Powers Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks’ opener was nothing short of spectacular, with a record-breaking 14-run third inning that surpassed their previous best of 13 runs set against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010. During this explosive inning, 18 batters stepped up, delivering 13 hits and drawing two walks, showing a relentless offensive onslaught without hitting a single home run.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said manager Torey Lovullo. “The players were focused on good approaches to hitting, using an all-fields approach rather than trying to hit home runs.”

Dominant Performances Across the Board

Arizona’s lineup was on fire, racking up 18 hits in total. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. led the charge, going 3-for-5 with a homer, five RBIs, and three runs. Ketel Marte also shone, finishing 3-for-5 with three runs, while Gabriel Moreno added three RBIs. The Diamondbacks’ efficiency was evident as they went 12-for-15 with runners in scoring position.

Starting pitcher Zac Gallen enjoyed the offensive support, noting, “It makes our job as pitchers a lot easier when they give you that much support. Next time, I’d rather them just do it in 10 minutes. Those guys came ready to play.”

Gain Premium Insights! Sign Up Today.

Rockies Struggle in Season Opener

The Rockies, coming off a franchise-worst 59-103 season, faced immediate challenges. Manager Bud Black acknowledged the tough inning, stating, “They had a lot of momentum. They just kept getting hits and balls kept going through and balls kept dropping. That’s baseball.”

Ryan McMahon was a bright spot for Colorado, with two hits and two walks, including a run-scoring double.

Upcoming Matchups

Arizona will send right-hander Merrill Kelly to the mound for the second game. Kelly, who was stellar in the 2023 postseason with a 3-1 record and 28 strikeouts in 24 innings, has a strong track record against Colorado, boasting a 2-0 record and a 1.89 ERA in three starts last season.

For the Rockies, Cal Quantrill will make his debut after being acquired from the Cleveland Guardians. Despite a challenging final spring outing where he allowed six runs over 4 2/3 innings, Quantrill hopes to rebound and provide stability for Colorado’s rotation.

Key Player Stats:

• Merrill Kelly: 12-8, 3.29 ERA in 2023; 3-1 in 2023 postseason with 28 strikeouts in 24 innings.
• Cal Quantrill: 15-5 with a 3.38 ERA in 2022; 4-7 with a 5.24 ERA in 2023.
• Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: 3-for-5, homer, five RBIs, three runs.
• Ketel Marte: 3-for-5, three runs.
• Gabriel Moreno: Three RBIs.

Arizona hopes to continue their strong start and build on the momentum from their record-setting opener as they face Colorado in the second game of the four-game series at Phoenix.