Behind dominant outings from Corbin Burnes and Merrill Kelly, the Diamondbacks secured a series win over the Rockies and showed flashes of the elite team they can be, if the bullpen stabilizes and key players find their rhythm.
The Arizona Diamondbacks walked away with a series win against the Colorado Rockies, but the taste was far from sweet. In their latest podcast episode, hosts Gabriel and Brandon unpack the D-backs’ performance, which included a dominant start, a historic collapse, and a shutout redemption. While Arizona took two of three games, it was clear that bullpen woes, Zac Gallen’s struggles, and inconsistent offense remain central concerns.
Game 1: Burnes Sizzles, D-backs Cruise
Corbin Burnes was nothing short of electric in the series opener. He carved up the Rockies for six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts, extending his scoreless streak to 16 innings and lowering his ERA below 3.00.
Gabe and Brandon praised Burnes for returning to elite form, especially since receiving a cortisone shot earlier in the season. They noted the return of his devastating cutter and his ability to generate whiffs even while issuing more walks than ideal. The bullpen followed Burnes’ lead, combining for four more strikeouts and preserving the shutout.
Offensively, the D-backs scored eight runs, without hitting a home run! They went just 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position, which remains a red flag, but still managed to capitalize on small ball and base-running pressure. The return to chaos ball gave fans nostalgic vibes from the team’s 2023 success.
Game 2: Gallen Melts Down, Bullpen Goes Nuclear
The second game quickly entered the “worst-loss-of-the-season” conversation. Zac Gallen was shelled for four home runs and six earned runs over five innings. Despite his struggles, the offense gave him a 11–6 lead by the time he exited. What followed was one of the ugliest bullpen implosions in franchise history.
The D-backs lost 12–14, marking the first time in franchise history they scored 12+ runs and still lost. Before this game, they were 151–0 in similar scenarios.
The bullpen gave up eight earned runs, with Jalen Beeks and Ryan Thompson both left in too long despite clear signs they didn’t have their best stuff. Brandon and Gabe took manager Torey Lovullo to task for mismanaging relievers, failing to pull pitchers in time, and relying on low-velocity arms against a team that thrives on them.
There were silver linings: Alek Thomas hit his first homer of the season, and Gabriel Moreno continued his offensive resurgence, now batting .315/.351/.444 over his last 15 games.
Still, the bullpen’s performance and Gallen’s command issues have fans and analysts wondering: what’s wrong with one of the team’s highest-paid pitchers—and can the current relief corps survive until reinforcements arrive?
Game 3: Kelly Dominates, Offense Does Just Enough
Following the disastrous loss, Merrill Kelly delivered one of the most dominant outings of his career. He tossed seven shutout innings, striking out a season-high 11 batters and allowing just one hit and three walks. His outing was so commanding that the Rockies never threatened after the first inning.
Ketel Marte launched a solo home run in the first inning, and that was all the scoring the D-backs needed. Kevin Ginkel followed with another clean outing, his fourth straight, and seems to be returning to form after a rocky start to the year.
Dbacks Dispatch marveled at Kelly’s arsenal and command, comparing his style to Greg Maddux for his ability to keep hitters guessing. They argued he deserves a short-term contract extension, especially if the team wants to stay competitive into next season.
Key Storylines
Zac Gallen’s Slide
Gallen has lost fastball command and is giving up hard contact early. Brandon suggested pairing him exclusively with catcher Jose Herrera, with whom he’s performed better. His fall from 98th to 4th percentile in fastball value (according to Baseball Savant) is a major red flag in a contract year.
Bullpen Breakdown
Jalen Beeks and Ryan Thompson were left in too long, Ginkel was pulled after one pitch, and no reliever seemed equipped to hold a lead. With AJ Puk and Justin Martinez still out, pitching coach Brian Kaplan and manager Torey Lovullo face growing criticism for bullpen usage.
Jordan Lawlar’s Uncertain Role
Despite strong defensive flashes, Jordan Lawlar continues to ride the bench too often. Gabe and Brandon argue that if the team doesn’t plan to start him consistently, he should be sent back to Reno for development.
Trade Market Still Quiet
The podcast closed by discussing the difficulty of trading for bullpen help in May. While many fans want an immediate fix, contenders aren’t ready to sell, and top relievers come with a steep price. Real moves likely won’t happen until late June or July.
A Win That Feels Like a Loss
Despite taking the series, the D-backs leave this matchup with more questions than answers. Burnes and Kelly look like elite starters. The offense can put up crooked numbers. But the bullpen? It’s in full crisis mode, and Zac Gallen’s struggles are beginning to jeopardize the rotation’s stability.
If the D-backs want to be real contenders, this pattern of “two steps forward, one disaster back” needs to end fast.