David Hale is a groundball pitcher, who isn't keeping the ball down. He's given up 11 homers in 42 innings, which is the highest of any pitcher with at least 40 innings. Pitching at hitter-friendly Chase Field certainly isn't a plus for him.




Hale has an 8.10 ERA during his last three starts and an 11.81 career ERA in two career appearances versus Arizona. The Diamondbacks just saw him on June 24 banging him for five runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.




At the rate he's going, Hale isn't long to keep his starting spot in the Rockies' rotation, weak as it is.




Making matters worse for Hale is Colorado's bullpen carries a high fatigue rating and is minus closer John Axford, its one reliable reliever.




The Diamondbacks are averaging 5.6 runs in their last six games.




Patrick Corbin is going to make his first big league start in more than 21 months so there's a wild-card factor about Arizona's pitching. The Diamondbacks' middle relief has some soft spots and Corbin will be limited to 90 pitches. The lefty has a 4.09 ERA in seven lifetime starts against Colorado.




The Rockies rank a respectable eighth in the majors in slugging percentage against lefties despite having to face Madison Bumgarner, Dallas Keuchel, Cole Hamels and Clayton Kershaw in four of their last five games versus southpaws.




Both Colorado and Arizona rank in the top seven in the majors in runs scored and batting average. The over is 10-4-1 (71 percent) during the past 15 meetings in the series.




The Rockies have gone over the total 17 of the last 25 times that Paul Schrieber, the slated home plate umpire, has been behind the plate.