Colorado Rockies game no. 151 thread: Merrill Kelly vs Antonio Senzatela

With 12 games left in the season, Antonio Senzatela makes his return from TJS.

The Colorado Rockies have just 12 games left to play in the regular season and are facing some tough competition. With a record of 57-93, the Rockies need to go 6-6 to avoid 100 losses for the second straight year. Tonight they kick off a three game series against the playoff-chasing Arizona Diamondbacks and look to play a little bit of spoiler before the last road trip of the season.

On the mound for the first time since May 2023 is right-handed contact-specialist Antonio Senzatela. Senzatela returned from the ACL tear that ended his 2022 campaign last may only to need Tommy John surgery last year after making just two starts and pitching 7 ²⁄₃ innings. Expect Senzatela to be on a hard pitch count of 70 this evening. For those who have forgotten, Senzatela largely relies on inducing contact, though he will look to increase his strikeout rates. He throws a four seam fastball that can cap out at around 97 MPH with a slider as his preferred secondary pitch. He can also throw an effective changeup and curveball.

The right-handed Merrill Kelly will be on the bump for the Diamondbacks hoping to end the season strong after spending much of the year on the injured list. Kelly has made just 10 starts this season with an ERA of 4.26 over 57 total innings. He faced the Rockies back in April and held them to just two earned runs on six hits and three walks in his penultimate game before going on the IL. Historically, Kelly has flummoxed Rockies batters to the tune of a 3.64 ERA over 14 career starts.

First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. MDT

TV: Rockies.tv

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Lineups: