The Colorado Rockies are beginning a home and home series against the Houston Astros on Monday afternoon in Houston. In a unique setup of a four game series, the Rockies will play the first two game of the series in Houston before playing the second two games back at home at Coors Field. Both games on Houston are afternoon affairs affairs, while both games at home are of the night variety. After losing two of three games in San Francisco, the Rockies are looking to have a bounce back series against the Astros and get right back into the running for first place in the National league West division. The Astros are currently in a rebuilding process as a team and they are also transitioning into their first year as a member of the American League West division, but they are still a Major League Baseball team and are capable of stringing together some victories.
The first game of the series on Monday afternoon, will see the Colorado Rockies facing off against veteran right handed pitcher Bud Norris for the Houston Astros. Norris used to be exclusively a strikeout pitcher who was rarely seen past the sixth inning of a ball game because of a higher pitch count, has definitely learned how to manage a game more effectively. The 28 year old has dialed down the pitch count and can now allow his defense to make some plays around him in order for him to be in the game longer. He can still dial it up and get the strikeout when he needs to, but he has developed into a well rounded all around pitcher and the ace of the Astros staff. On the year, Norris has compiled a 4-4 record with a 3.86 ERA in 10 games started for the team. In a limited number of times faced against current Rockies Norris has boasted a .261 average against him. Wilin Rosario, Jordan Pacheco and Michael Cuddyer each have two hits in five at bats against Norris and Carlos Gonzalez is 2-6 lifetime against him. Norris has a scary home/road split so far this year and is happy to be taking on the Rockies at Minute Maid Park in Houston for that reason. At home in 2013, Norris has a 3-1 record with a 1.93 ERA in six starts. This compared to a 1-3 record and a 7.71 ERA in starts made away from Houston. The Rockies will be looking to add some crooked numbers to his home record and even those stats out just a bit.
The Colorado Rockies will be sending Jhoulys Chacin to the hill to face off against the Houston Astros in the first game of the series on Monday afternoon. Chacin was having a wonderful start to the season but during his last four starts he has shown some cracks in the armor and is 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA during that span. His last time out was a good example of it as he cruised through the first six innings of the game allowing only one hit against the Diamondbacks, then in the seventh inning he gave it all back and four runs later he was left with a no decision. He will be looking to get back on track Monday as he faces off against the weaker Houston offense. Only six players in the Astros organization have ever faced Chacin, with Carlos Pena having the most at bats against him with six. In those six at bats he has three hits and two of those hits have left the ballpark. Chacin is looking to improve his numbers away from Coors Field as he has a 2.70 ERA in three starts away from home this year and is 1-1. At home he is 2-2 with a 4.83 ERA. He will be looking to avoid a big inning that costs him a quality start, something that he has not been able to do early on this season.
The Houston Astros lineup for today's game is as follows:
1. Robbie Grossman, LF
2. Jose Altuve, 2B
3. Jason Castro, C
4. JD Martinez, DH
5. Carlos Pena, 1B
6. Trevor Crowe, CF
7. Jimmy Paredes, RF
8. Matt Dominguez, 3B
9. Marwin Gonzalez, SS
The Colorado Rockies lineup for today's game is as follows:
1. Eric Young Jr, DH
2. Dexter Fowler, CF
3. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
5. Wilin Rosario, C
6. Jordan Pacheco, 1B
7. Nolan Arenado, 3B
8. Charlie Blackmon, RF
9. Jonathan Herrera, 2B
First pitch for today's game is at 12:10 PM Mountain time and they will be one of the first games to get going as all of the teams around Major League Baseball are in action today in celebration of the Memorial Day. A special thank you goes out to all of the veterans that have served our great country in order to preserve our freedom!
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