Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies Picks and Predictions May 17th 2025

Zac Gallen: Rockies’ Worst Nightmare

Right-hander Zac Gallen (3-5, 4.59 ERA) is no stranger to the Rockies. In 15 career starts, he has posted a 7-1 record with a 2.59 ERA against Colorado, making him their most persistent nemesis on the mound. After a rocky start to the season, Gallen will look to regain form and extend his dominance.

Arizona Looks to Build Momentum

After peaking at five games over .500 on April 17, the Diamondbacks have slipped to a 12-14 record in recent weeks. However, manager Torey Lovullo remains confident.

“I’m looking for this team to get on a run,” Lovullo said. “A 10-game run can win a lot of baseball games. I want to protect home-field advantage.”

Arizona holds a 12-12 home record, which they aim to improve, especially against the league’s weakest team.

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Colorado Rockies: Worst Start in Modern MLB History

With a 7-37 record, the Rockies are off to the worst start in modern Major League Baseball history (since 1901). Despite this, the team hopes for a spark with Ezequiel Tovar, a Gold Glove shortstop, returning from injury.

Interim manager Warren Schaeffer praised Tovar’s impact:

“Everything he does makes us a better team,” Schaeffer noted.

German Marquez Returns with Mixed Results

Colorado counters with right-hander German Marquez (1-6, 8.27 ERA). Marquez is coming off his best outing in years—a 7-inning gem in a 9-3 win over San Diego. It was his first appearance of that length since September 16, 2022.

Against the Diamondbacks, he holds a 6-6 record with a 4.38 ERA in 23 appearances. However, he hasn’t faced Arizona since 2022, and key Diamondbacks hitters like Ketel Marte (12-for-42, 2 HR, 8 RBI) have historically fared well against him. Don’t Miss The Latest Baseball Picks from MLB Expert Handicappers

Roster Moves Shake Things Up

Diamondbacks: Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez is on the injured list (shoulder inflammation). Ryne Nelson, who threw 56 pitches on Wednesday, will take his spot Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Rockies: Alongside Tovar, infielders Tyler Freeman and Aaron Schunk also returned. Rookie Carson Palmquist made his first major league start but gave up five runs in four innings.

Looking Ahead: What’s at Stake

The Diamondbacks have a golden opportunity to gain momentum with a series win at home. For Gallen, it’s a chance to bounce back and reinforce his reputation as a reliable ace. For Colorado, it’s about breaking free from a historically poor start and stabilizing under new leadership.

Final Thoughts

The Diamondbacks’ sharp fundamentals and Gallen’s strong track record suggest they’re well-positioned to take Game 2. Meanwhile, the Rockies continue to rebuild and search for consistency amidst one of the roughest starts in MLB history.