The Arizona Diamondbacks are poised to finish a three-game sweep over the Colorado Rockies this Sunday at Chase Field, following a dramatic walk-off victory on Saturday night. With first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m. MST, the Diamondbacks hope to build momentum for their playoff aspirations despite their current sub-.500 record.
Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt will take the mound for Arizona against Colorado’s Tanner Gordon, as the D-backs aim to capitalize on their improved 56-61 standing, while the Rockies slide further to 30-86. A sweep in this series, especially before a four-game set at Coors Field, would bolster Arizona’s climb back toward an even .500 mark.
Pitching Duel: Pfaadt’s Inconsistency Versus Gordon’s Struggles
Brandon Pfaadt’s 2025 season has been marked by fluctuations between strong outings and rough patches. Most recently, he recovered from a poor start by allowing only two runs over 5.2 innings against the Padres, securing a win. Although his ERA remains concerning, Pfaadt contributes significantly when pitching well, having earned 11 wins and produced seven Quality Starts this season with 15 appearances of three or fewer runs allowed.
Tanner Gordon, a 27-year-old right-hander entering his second <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB season, has made just six starts. He has struggled at times, giving up seven runs in three different games—with the latest outing resulting in seven earned runs over just 2.2 innings. Despite not issuing any walks in that start, he yielded 11 hits and recorded only one strikeout.
Gordon primarily uses a low-90s four-seam fastball, complemented by a slider, changeup, and occasional curveball. However, all his pitches have been hit with an average above .300 and with significant power against him, presenting a challenge in this matchup.
Relief Arms to Play a Key Role Following High-Use Bullpens
The bullpen will be tested again for the Diamondbacks after Eduardo Rodriguez‘s short start on Saturday led to the use of four relievers—Juan Burgos, Kyle Backus, Andrew Saalfrank, and Andrew Hoffmann. While all pitched brief, efficient innings, Saalfrank handled back-to-back appearances and may not be available for Sunday.
For Colorado, pitchers Dugan Darnell, Juan Mejia, and Jimmy Herget combined to cover 3.2 innings. Victor Vodnik is expected to be the Rockies’ lowest-leverage reliever available, having last pitched on Wednesday.
Lineup Details Await Sunday’s Game
The Diamondbacks have yet to release their lineup for Sunday’s contest. Updates will be provided closer to game time.
Contextual Significance of the Series and Player Impact
A sweep against a struggling Rockies team is vital for the Diamondbacks as they seek to regain footing and push toward a playoff berth. Brandon Pfaadt’s performance is critical in this effort, as Arizona’s success often hinges on his ability to string together quality starts. The team’s ability to manage their bullpen after heavy usage will also affect their chances of maintaining control in this series.
Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks face an important four-game series in Colorado, where maintaining momentum will be crucial. How Pfaadt and the pitching staff perform today could influence Arizona’s trajectory in the closing stretch of the season.