Surging Arizona tries for a season-best sixth consecutive victory and a three-game sweep of the visiting Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.
The Diamondbacks (49-48) have picked up the pace after a lackluster start - with much of their recent success coming at home. Arizona has outscored opponents 164-97 in winning 18 of 23 games at Chase Field, batting .319 overall and .351 with runners in scoring position in that span.
The Diamondbacks continued their recent tear Tuesday, prevailing 6-2 behind seven strong innings from Joe Saunders and a two-run homer by Chris Young. Arizona has won a season-high eight in a row at home - including all five contests since the All-Star break.
Upton has also delivered of late, going 10 for 25 with one homer and eight runs scored in his last eight games. He matched a career high with three walks Tuesday, scored twice and stole his 12th base.
While the Diamondbacks sent struggling infielder Ryan Roberts to Tampa Bay in exchange for Double-A infielder Tyler Bortnick on Tuesday, Towers appears to have no intention of dealing Upton before the July 31 trade deadline.
The Diamondbacks now turn to Trevor Cahill (8-8, 3.77 ERA), who is 6-3 with a 3.57 ERA over his last nine starts. The right-hander, though, wasn't very sharp Friday, yielding four runs and a season high-tying nine hits over 5 1-3 innings of a 13-8 win over Houston.
Cahill has gone 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA over two matchups against the Rockies (36-60) this season - both of which came at Coors Field. He gave up four runs over five innings but didn't factor in the decision of a 9-7 win May 17.
Michael Cuddyer, who provided Colorado's offense Tuesday with two solo homers, is 1 for 11 lifetime versus Cahill.
Colorado, looking to win for the second time in eight games, gives the ball to Jeff Francis (2-2, 5.24). The left-hander had gone 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA over a six-start stretch June 21-July 16 but was reached for five runs and eight hits in five innings Saturday in an 8-6, 12-inning road win over San Diego.
Things won't get any easier for Francis, who's gone 0-6 with a 7.68 ERA over his last seven starts against the Diamondbacks. He has, however, only faced them once since the start of last season, yielding three runs over seven innings in a 3-2 loss June 22, 2011, while with Kansas City.
Upton and Young have both taken Francis deep twice, going 6 for 15 and 8 for 24, respectively, against him. Stephen Drew is 9 for 26 with one home run.
Rockies are 1-4 in their last 5 road games.
Rockies are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a loss.
Rockies are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Rockies are 4-1 in Francis' last 5 road starts.
Diamondbacks are 5-0 in their last 5 games as a favorite.
Diamondbacks are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a win.
Diamondbacks are 5-0 in their last 5 overall.
Diamondbacks are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Diamondbacks are 5-1 in Cahills last 6 starts as a favorite.
Diamondbacks are 4-1 in Cahills last 5 starts as a home favorite.
Diamondbacks are 4-1 in Cahills last 5 home starts.
Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in Arizona.
Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Rockies are 37-77 in the last 114 meetings in Arizona.
Rockies are 1-4 in Francis' last 5 starts vs. Diamondbacks.
Rockies are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings.
ARIZONA is 28-18 (+13.5 Units) against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
ARIZONA is 4-1 (+2.8 Units) against COLORADO this season
Obviously the Rockies don't do well when they head south. Now with Cahill throwing the ball it appears they may be worse. I love how Arizona is playing right now and i think Cahill is a much better pitcher by far in this case. Today we take the hot team who seems to be hitting everything. Good Luck
ARI D`BACKS -1½+110
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