Arizona @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2018 ) Colorado 1, Arizona 6

The tight race in the National League West continues Monday as the first-place Colorado Rockies begin a crucial four-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, who are looking to bounce back after dropping three of four to Atlanta over the weekend. Colorado, which never has won a division title, holds a one-half game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers and sits 2 1/2 ahead of the Diamondbacks.

Colorado missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead by losing two of three over the weekend to the Dodgers, who collected 14 hits in Sunday’s 9-6 victory. Nolan Arenado snapped an 0-for-15 slump with a two-run homer while Charlie Blackmon went 3-for-4 with two blasts after belting a two-run shot in Saturday’s contest. Arizona has lost seven of its last nine games and struggled again in the late innings on Sunday, when closer Brad Boxberger and Yoan Lopez allowed a total of six runs while recording just one out in the 9-5 setback. Nick Ahmed drove in two runs and is 15-for-40 with three homers and 16 RBIs in 11 games against Colorado this season.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (14-8, 4.51 ERA) vs. Rockies RH German Marquez (11-9, 4.05)

Godley spent the week on the paternity list after suffering a loss last Monday, when he allowed four runs and two hits - both homers - over five innings against San Diego. The 28-year-old native of South Carolina has set career highs this season with 14 wins, 29 games (28 starts), 159 2/3 innings and 170 strikeouts. Godley is 4-0 with a 3.15 ERA in seven career games (five starts) versus Colorado - including a 3-0 record and 3.80 ERA in five appearances (three starts) at Coors Field.

Marquez continued to impress on Tuesday, allowing two runs with 11 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision against San Francisco. The 23-year-old Venezuelan has gone 3-2 with a 3.80 ERA over his last seven outings. Paul Goldschmidt is 9-for-20 with four home runs against Marquez, who is 1-4 with a 4.72 ERA in 11 career games (10 starts) versus Arizona and 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in four turns this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona has gone 12-5 in its last 17 contests at Coors Field thanks to a nine-game winning streak that ended on July 10.

2. Colorado 2B DJ LeMahieu is 11-for-33 with two home runs in eight games this month.

3. Arizona OF David Peralta was held out of the starting lineup Sunday due to a sore left ankle but appeared as a pinch-hitter and delivered an RBI single.

PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Diamondbacks 4