Jorge De La Rosa LHP, 4-0, 2.81

Joe Saunders LHP, 0-3, 5.93

One undefeated lefty; one yet to taste victory. Not the most promising of pitching match-ups this evening, as the rip-roaring Rockies come to town. They've gone 10-3 on the road this year, averaging five runs a game, which is a little weird, because they are batting only .229 away from Coors. It's their pitching they have to thanks: on the road, their hurlers have held the opposition to a .226 average, though that is certainly helped by a low .261 BABIP. Be nice to start that regressing at Chase this evening.

1. Chris Young CF
2. Ryan Roberts 2B
3. Justin Upton  RF
4. Stephen Drew  SS
5. Xavier Nady 1B
6. Melvin Mora 3B
7. Gerardo Parra  LF
8. Henry Blanco C
9. Joe Saunders LHP

Before I go any further, kudos to the D-backs for announcing today that active, reserve or retired military can receive free tickets by showing valid ID at any of the games this week against Colorado. That's a nice gesture, given the events over the weekend. 

Lefty on the mound, so Kelly Johnson and Miguel Montero get the night off. We'll see if Blanco can get his first hit of 2011, after more than a month on the roster [albeit only with 11 PAs]. Roberts also takes over Johnson's spot at #2 in the rotation, but I'm not too happy about Nady batting fifth. On the other hand, the lower-half of our order doesn't exactly scream run production, does it? Slots 5-8 have one HR between them in a total of 156 ABs this year. So, got to put somebody in the slot, I guess.