Justin Upton will sit out his second consecutive game tonight as the Diamondbacks and Rockies play the grudge match of their three-game series. Manager Kirk Gibson has benched Upton the last two games of the series in hopes of getting the 24-year-old slugger's mind right.
"Hopefully he'll (Upton) will have a productive day today," said Gibson. "He's a very important part to our team, we all know that, and we are going to try to get him back on track."
Gibson said that Upton his available to play tonight if the situation suffices.
The Diamondbacks will also be without Jason Kubel, as the outfielder gets the night off tonight. Starting in left field will be rookie A.J. Pollack. Pollack was just called up today when the Diamondbacks put Lyle Overbay on paternity leave this afternoon.
Veteren John McDonald gets the call at shortshop tonight, and third baseman Ryan Roberts is hitting in the No. 2 spot, right behind Pollack.
Wade Miley (6-2, 2.72 ERA) will be on the bump tonight for the Diamondbacks as they try to get a much needed series victory. Miley is opposed by left-hander Josh Outman (0-1, 5.63 ERA) for the Rockies. Outman is making his second start of 2012 tonight.
Full Starting Lineups:
Colorado Rockies (24-31)
- Dexter Fowler CF
- Marco Scutaro SS
- Carlos Gonzalez LF
- Michael Cuddyer RF
- Jason Giambi 1B
- Jordan Pacheco 3B
- Wilin Rosario C
- D.J. LeMahieu 2B
- Josh Outman P
- A.J. Pollack LF
- Ryan Roberts 3B
- Chris Young CF
- Paul Goldschmidt 1B
- Miguel Montero C
- Aaron Hill 2B
- Gerardo Parra RF
- Jason McDonald SS
- Wade Miley P