Arizona @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2012 ) Colorado 4, Arizona 2

The Arizona Diamondbacks begin a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies with their playoff hopes on life support. Arizona sits 5 1/2 games out of the second National League wild card spot with 13 games to play after losing 6-5 to the Padres on Thursday. The Rockies have lost six straight and 13 of 15, and they need to win five of their final 13 games to avoid 100 losses. Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez will likely miss the series after being removed from Thursday’s game with a tight left hamstring, while shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (groin) is hoping to return next week.

Most experts give the Diamondbacks little chance of catching St. Louis in the wild card race, but Miguel Montero isn’t about to give up. Montero, who has started a franchise-record 18 straight games at catcher, is hitting .381 (24-for-63) in his last 17 games. He leads all major league catchers with 85 RBI, one shy of his career high. Colorado rookie catcher Wilin Rosario remains a work in progress, but the Rockies are finding ways to keep his bat in the lineup. Rosario, who has struggled defensively behind the plate, made his first start this season at first base on Thursday. With 25 homers and 66 RBI, Rosario figures to be in the mix for the NL rookie of the year award.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (15-10, 3.10 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Drew Pomeranz (1-9, 5.06)

Miley has been sharp in two appearances (one start) against Colorado this season, going 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA covering 11 innings. He’s turned in a quality start in five of his last six outings, including last Saturday against the Giants when he gave up three runs over seven frames. He's 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in four career games (three starts) against the Rockies.

Pomeranz had his start pushed back a day so Jorge De La Rosa could make his season debut on Thursday. Pomeranz is winless over his past 12 appearances, including last Saturday when he gave up four runs over three innings against the Padres. With Colorado limiting its pitchers to 75 pitches, Pomeranz hasn’t worked more than four frames since July 27.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Rockies 3B Chris Nelson is batting .338 (46-for-136) with four home runs and 24 RBI in 44 games since the All-Star break.

2. Diamondbacks RF Justin Upton has seven extra-base hits in his past five games after hitting just five in his previous 25.

3. Colorado is 21-35 against NL West opponents this season.