Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies Prediction: Should You Back Zac Gallen and the Diamondbacks?

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies Prediction: Should You Back Zac Gallen and the Diamondbacks?

The Diamondbacks will try to even the series at one apiece when they take on the Rockies in game two of the series from Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. The Rockies stole game one with a run in the ninth inning, breaking the 3-3 tie and solidifying a 4-3 win. Now, the Diamondbacks look to bounce back tonight behind their ace, Zac Gallen.

Looking for the best sportsbook offers? Check out the free bets page

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: July 8, 2022
• Game Time: 9:30 pm ET
• Where to Watch: MLBTV

Click here for Diamondbacks vs Rockies odds

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Line Movement

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction

Zac Gallen is 4-2 on the season with a 3.4 ERA. Gallen had a solid start to the year, carrying a .6 ERA into May, and he finished May with a 2.32 ERA. In June, he struggled a bit more, going 0-2 with a 5.26 ERA over five starts in June. However, his most recent outing was a quality start in Coors Field, going six innings with three earned runs, so his slump from June could be over. Opponents are batting just .197 off Gallen in Chase Field. Despite a .197 average and only ten walks in 47 innings, he has a slightly higher home ERA at 3.45. This suggests that Gallen has been a little unlucky at home, and I expect that to correct itself against a team Gallen is comfortable against.

Gallen has nine starts against the Rockies. That is the most he has against any team in the league, and he has dominated them. Gallen is 3-1 with a 2.38 ERA in those nine starts, and that's his lowest ERA against any team he has five or more starts against. This includes all his starts in Coors Field, where most pitchers notoriously do worse in the dramatically different air conditions. Gallen's last start at home against the Rockies, he went seven innings with zero earned runs. In the home start before that, he pitched six innings with just two earned runs. Seven of Gallen's nine starts against the Rockies have been quality starts.

Starting for the Rockies is Chad Kuhl, who has been mostly average. He started the season with a 1.9 ERA in April, but that ERA has since risen to 3.83, which isn't that bad, but his road ERA rises to 4.39 when he is away from Coors Field. Kuhl's most recent start was against the Diamondbacks, where he gave up five runs in five innings back on July 3rd. Kuhl has faced the Diamondbacks five times in his career, and in those five appearances, he is 0-1 with a 7.58 ERA.

If this game were earlier in the year, I might be more worried that the Diamondbacks could put up runs, but their bats have been hot in July. The Diamondbacks were hitting an abysmal .181 in April but are now hitting .274 over their first seven games in July. The Rockies are also one of the worst first-half teams in the league, especially on the road, where they are 8-23-8 on the first-half line. Zac Gallen has a 8-3-4 first-half line record this season, and I expect him to put up another quality start against a team that he has dominated. Look for the Diamondbacks to jump ahead early while seeking revenge for last night's loss.

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Pick

• D-backs F5 -.5 @ -120 (Bet $120 to win $100)