Diamondbacks must save series finale in Colorado

The Arizona Diamondbacks enter Wednesday's game against the Colorado Rockies on a disaster note. They have lost the first two games of the series and now have their backs against the wall as they face a potential sweep.

They still have a two-game lead over the Atlanta Braves for the 3rd Wild Card spot, but the Mets now have control of the 2nd spot as the tiebreaker between Arizona and New York comes into play. The Diamondbacks must win the series finale against the Rockies or the team's playoff hopes will be incredibly dire.

Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, 2-3, 5.50 ERA, 4.83 FIP in 34.1 IP

Eduardo Rodriguez is a big question mark for the Diamondbacks. He has shown both positive and negative signs since returning from the injured list in August. His 5.50 ERA doesn't look great, but his expected numbers have Rodriguez performing slightly better with just a 4.83 FIP.

Much of that difference is due to his limited sample size, but it's important to note that he's had some bad luck and is coming back from an injury that kept him out of action for most of the season, and he'll have to keep the Diamondbacks in the lead in Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

His pitch position will be crucial for Rodriguez, as he relies heavily on his finesse and precise positioning. We've seen this work well, but there's certainly room for improvement in an arm that, at its peak, could be one of the club's best starters.

Austin Gomber, LHP, 5-10, 4.44 ERA, 4.70 FIP in 158 IP

Austin Gomber was a very good pitcher for the Rockies in 2024. In a rotation that was once again very disappointing, the team seems to have something special.

One aspect of Gomber's game that needs to be overcome is his 38.1% GB rate. The Diamondbacks have given themselves opportunities to catch up against the Rockies in previous games, but have frequently fallen into double plays and ended up with little to show for it.

Gomber has been very extensive in his appearances, having made at least 6 IP in 7 of his last 8 starts. His role as a left-handed starting pitcher is also proving to be a tough opponent for the Diamondbacks, as Arizona is much better against right-handed starters.

Christian Walker has a .289 batting average in 12 games since returning from the injured list. He has also hit 3 home runs, including a solo home run in Tuesday's game against the Rockies. Walker is a key part of the Diamondbacks' middle lineup, where he is a key right-hander against the left-handed Gomber.

Pavin Smith has been in top form all of September. In 10 games since September 6, Smith has a .440 batting average, with 3 home runs and 13 RBIs. In Tuesday's game, he hit two doubles. Any kind of consistent offense is crucial for the D-backs right now, as they have slacked off in their last few series, including a total of 4 runs in 2 games against the Rockies.

Ezequiel Tovar for Colorado has been devastating the Diamondbacks so far in this series, hitting home runs in two consecutive games, including 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored. The Rockies shortstop has also played solid defense and will play a role in Wednesday's series finale.

The Arizona Diamondbacks will face the Colorado Rockies at 12:10 p.m. Arizona time. Stay tuned to Arizona Diamondbacks ON SI for breaking news, breaking stories and in-depth analysis.