Arizona @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2018 ) Arizona 2, Colorado 13

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story has entered the National League’s Most Valuable Player race with a huge second half, but he’d much rather see his team clinch its first division title. Story looks to maintain his torrid pace Tuesday when the Rockies continue their crucial four-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, who have lost three in a row and eight of their last 10.

Story hit a three-run homer and German Marquez struck out 11 over seven strong innings in Monday’s 13-2 win as the Rockies increased their lead to 1 1/2 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers and 3 1/2 games over the Diamondbacks. Story has 32 homers and 99 RBIs for the Rockies, who sealed Monday’s win with David Dahl’s first career grand slam in the seventh inning. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo is searching for answers and said Monday that he will play the matchups in the ninth inning instead of relying solely on closer Brad Boxberger, who has given up six runs over two innings across his last four appearances. Archie Bradley, Yoshihisa Hirano, Brad Ziegler and Andrew Chafin could all receive save opportunities for the Diamondbacks, who play 12 of their final 18 games against NL West opponents.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (13-9, 3.08 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Antonio Senzatela (4-5, 4.92)

Greinke is looking to bounce back from a rough outing last Thursday, when he allowed five runs (four earned) across 5 1/3 innings against Atlanta. The five-time All-Star is 11-5 with a 3.75 ERA in 28 career games (27 starts) versus Colorado - including 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA in three outings this season. Carlos Gonzalez is 16-for-51 with five homers and 14 strikeouts against Greinke, who owns a 4-1 record and 4.20 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) at Coors Field.

Senzatela received a no-decision last Wednesday after allowing three runs on nine hits over five frames against San Francisco. The 23-year-old native of Venezuela has gone winless since July 28 and posted a 20-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last five starts. Paul Goldschmidt is 2-for-8 with five strikeouts against Senzatela, who is 0-3 with an 8.27 ERA in six career games (two starts) versus Arizona – including 0-2 with a 6.75 mark in two games (one start) this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. This is the latest the Rockies have been alone atop the division since 1995.

2. Goldschmidt has reached base in a club-record 46 straight road games.

3. The Rockies are 28-12 over their last 40 games at Coors Field.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 7, Rockies 3