The set-up: The Rockies were 75-87 last season and the D'backs were 69-93, with both teams well behind the division-winning Dodgers by 16 and 22 games, respectively. However, in the early going of 2017, Colorado sits at 18-11 and in first place in the NL West, while the D'backs are right behind them at 17-13 (1 1/2 games back). That sets the stage for this three-game series with the D'backs at Coors Field. Colorado has produced sub-.500 records away from Coors Field each of the last seven seasons but Thursday's 3-2, 11-inning victory at San Diego gives them an 11-5 road record in 2017, -the second-best mark in the majors behind Washington. Arizona fell 4-2 in Washington on Thursday in the rubber match of that three-game series, which was the first leg of this six-game road trip against the teams with the two best records in the NL.

The pitching matchup: Zack Greinke (2-2 & 3.19 ERA) will get the ball for Arizona on Friday and German Marquez (0-1 & 7.20 ERA) for Colorado. Greinke struck out nine over six innings last Saturday at home vs. the Rockies but surrendered three solo HRs in a no-decision versus Colorado (Rockies won 7-6 on a three-run 9th!). The 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner is 7-4 with a 4.11 ERA in 21 games (20 starts / teams are 12-8) versus the Rockies in his career. Marquez is a rookie making his third start of 2017. He rebounded from a poor season debut (eight runs allowed over just four innings in a 15-12 loss to Washington on April 25) with a terrific outing in a no-decision last Sunday at Arizona, allowing six hits and walking one while striking out eight over six scoreless innings. Marquez has worked eight scoreless innings in two career appearances (one start) against the Diamondbacks.

The pick: Colorado has had its struggles at Coors Field early in 2017, going just 7-6, mainly because it's allowed 6.15 RPG at home. The Diamondbacks are 12-5 at Chase Field and just 5-8 on the road but Greinke over Marquez makes this a 10* play on Arizona.