DENVER — The Diamondbacks came into their game on Tuesday, Sept. 22, against the Rockies at Coors Field in need of six wins, in their minds, over their final six games of the regular season to have a shot at a National League wild-card spot.
They entered the night four games behind the Philadelphia Phillies and five behind the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres.
“Focus on what we do well, focus on doing your job and not worrying about anything else,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said prior to the first of three games against Colorado. “Little things matter. Do little things and let them add up to a big moment.
“We know what we’ve got to do. We’ve got to go out and win every baseball game. I don’t like thinking like that. I just want us to win today. I want us to play our finest game today and at the end of the day, we’ll see where we’re at.”
Ketel Marte, who has a history of not playing an entire series when the Diamondbacks visit Colorado due to health reasons, was in the lineup as the designated hitter. Lovullo said he planned to have Marte play defense the last two games of the series.
“I don’t want to ask anybody to go out there and empty their tank,” Lovullo said. “We know what we’ve got to get to, and I’m going to ask guys to go and give me just a little bit extra.”
The Diamondbacks, if they stick with how they’ve set up their pitching rotation, will turn to right-hander Corbin Burnes on Saturday, Sept. 26, at San Diego in what could still be a game to stay alive in the wild-card race.
“We’ll probably just trust what he’s given us and his own personal evaluation. He feels strong, he feels healthy,” Lovullo said of Burnes, who spent 15 months trying to get back from elbow surgery and a subsequent injury.
Catcher Gabriel Moreno continues to play without much rest at all. Moreno is so vital to the Diamondbacks with his consistent hitting and defense that Lovullo continues to go to him.
“He’s in that category where you can’t win games without him,” Lovullo said. “We’ve got to manage his workload. I caught him three days in a row before the off day (Monday). I haven’t done that all year long. He’s going to probably catch five of the last six games, depending on what the needs are.
“In the game that he doesn’t catch, I’m probably going to DH him. But he’s been so impactful for us.”
Moreno said the key for him to have reached career highs in games played, at-bats, runs scored, hits, home runs and runs batted in is staying healthy this season. Tuesday was Moreno’s 126th game of the season, out of 157.
“Just going to do my best in everything I can,” Moreno said. “Running, hitting, catching, helping the team win.”
Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (8-5, 3.45) vs. Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (4-10, 6.38)
At Coors Field: Soroka gave up one run in five innings against the Marlins in his most recent start, giving up just two hits, one of which was a solo homer by RF Griffin Conine. … It was his second outing off the injured list. In his first one, he allowed three homers in four innings in a loss at Kansas City. … He has faced the Rockies three times this season, giving up just three runs in 16 innings for a 1.69 ERA. … Freeland, 33, has pitched 10 seasons in the majors, all with the Rockies, but this could be his final start in Colorado, with his contract set to expire at the end of the year. … Freeland gave up three runs in four-plus innings against the Padres in his most recent start. … He has faced the Diamondbacks 23 times in his career and has posted a 6.28 ERA. The Diamondbacks hit him hard earlier this season, scoring seven times off him in 3 2/3 innings.
Wednesday, Sept. 23: At Colorado, 5:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (9-14, 5.00) vs. Rockies RHP Mason Adams (0-1, 5.09).
Thursday, Sept. 24: At Colorado, 12:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (15-7, 2.89) vs. Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (1-5, 6.01).
Friday, Sept. 25: At San Diego, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-3, 3.72) vs. Padres RHP Casey Mize (6-9, 3.96).
(This story has been updated to add information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: DBacks vs Rockies updates. Desperation time in Denver, chasing wild card
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