It’s time for another anticipated debut from a Rockies rookie as Carson Palmquist makes his MLB debut Friday evening.
The 24-year-old Palmquist, listed number nine on both our PuRP rankings and MLB Pipeline, has thus far recorded a record of 2-2 and a 3.82 ERA in Triple-A Albuquerque this season. Drafted in 2022, the left-hander has worked through every level of Colorado’s minor league system, and will now seek to provide support to a rotation in desperate need of assistance.
Looking to rain on the newbie’s parade will be veteran Corbin Burnes (2-1, 2.95 ERA). After a somewhat bumpy start to the season, Burnes has settled in to his new home in the desert and hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any of his last five starts.
His most recent outing was his best of the season – a seven-inning shutout of the vaunted Los Angeles Dodgers. Corbin owns a 5.24 ERA in seven games (three starts) against Colorado.
Palmquist isn’t the only face Rockies fans are excited to see, though. Friday night will also mark the return of Ezequiel Tovar to the lineup, activated today after dealing with hip issues. He’ll get the start at shortstop, batting second. Tovar is a welcome sight for Colorado, who have struggled with consistent production on offense.
Tovar’s likely excited to face the Snakes, a team against which he owns a career .320 batting average against in 26 games. That’s the second-highest of all clubs in which Tovar has faced at least ten times.
Also returning are Tyler Freeman and Aaron Schunk, both of whom are available off the bench tonight.
For those interested, the Diamondbacks will be rocking their new City Connect gear this evening. It’s also the start of MLB’s first-ever Rivalry Weekend. Who will collect the first W of the newest installment in the storied struggle between the Rox and Snakes? Let’s find out together.
First Pitch: 7:40 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.tv
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
Lineups: