Back in the confines of Coors Field, the Rockies tried to shake off a difficult road series that saw them drop six of their first seven games. While the offense and starting pitching picked up a bit in their first series at home against the Tampa Bay Rays, the bullpen faltered. Now, the Rockies look to get revenge as they face a difficult challenge in the Arizona Diamondbacks, however, both teams have been struggling since they last met.

The National League West division counterparts opened the season against each other, with the Diamondbacks easily defeating the Rockies in three of four games. The Rockies struggled to score runs as well as prevent them and will once have to face a difficult lineup and the Diamondbacks’ top pitchers. Both teams saw leads get blown over the weekend.

The Diamondbacks (4-6) enter the series on the heels of a sweep by the Atlanta Braves. They will look to the top of their rotation for Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly to right the ship and take advantage of a familiar Rockies lineup while the offense will look to punch back against a struggling Rockies rotation.

Pitching Probables*

4/8: Kyle Freeland (0-2, 27.00 ERA) vs. Zac Gallen (2-0, 0.82 ERA)

4/9: Cal Quantrill (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Merrill Kelly (1-0, 1.98 ERA)

4/10: Austin Gomber (0-0, 6.23 ERA) vs. Tommy Henry (0-1, 7.00 ERA)

*Subject to change

Things to watch

Rematch

Kyle Freeland is looking for revenge after the Diamondbacks tagged him for 10 runs on Opening Day. Freeland has had a difficult start to the season, struggling with his command and leaving pitches up over the zone. The Denver native will get the chance to pitch at home for the first time this year, a place he is quite comfortable and will make his 22nd career start against the Diamondbacks.

Gallen’s dominance

Gallen makes his 15th career start against the Rockies and looks to continue his success against them. He is 7-1 with a 2.41 ERA, a 1.146 WHIP, 24 walks and 95 strikeouts over 82 innings of work against them.  Additionally, Gallen is 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA, a 0.919 WHIP, five walks and 40 strikeouts over 37 innings in six career starts at Coors Field. The Rockies have had few answers against him and will have to find a way to combat his aggressive approach on the mound.

Can the bats keep rolling?

After a rough start to the season, the Rockies have shown flashes of what their offense can do. They scored 16 runs in their first two games at home, but faltered on Sunday, scoring just two while striking out 15 times. Strikeouts have been a major for the Rockies to start the year and face a tough pair of assignments in the first two games of the upcoming series in Gallen and Kelly. Additionally, the Rockies are looking to snap a 16-game streak of failing to score first.

Bullpen blues

Over the weekend, the Rockies and the Diamondbacks saw their bullpens struggle. On Friday and Saturday, the Rockies bullpen surrendered 12 runs in the seventh inning and later. On Saturday the Diamondbacks blew a lead and lost 9-8 to the Braves. Whichever teams takes a lead will need to ensure the bullpen can lock it down late in the game.