The Colorado Rockies will be taking on the Houston Astros in the final game of their four game series on Thursday night. The Astros have surprised the Rockies as they have won two of the three games so far and have limited the Rockies offense to minimal damage throughout the series. Last night the game was close until the ninth inning when the Astros tagged on three runs and ultimately won the game 6-3. Troy Tulowitzki and Michael Cuddyer have been the only Rockies to get the offense going in this series and last night both Tulo and Cuddy each had three hits and Tulo had two home runs and all three RBI for the Rockies. Tonight's match up pits Juan Nicasio pitching for the Rockies against Lucas Harrell for the Astros.
Juan Nicasio has strung together a couple of good starts and has been able to control his pitch count enough to be able to work into the later innings of the game. Nicasio is 4-1 on the year with a 4.38 ERA. His last time out he threw five innings against the Giants allowing two runs but took a no decision as the Giants came back and defeated the Rockies 6-5 in the game. This year at home, Nicasio has pitched wonderfully as he has a 2-0 record with a 3.54 ERA in four starts. Opponents are batting just .187 against him when he takes the mound at Coors Field. The history between Nicasio and current Astros is very limited but in those match ups he has fared very well against them. In 20 at bats against him he has allowed only two hits and one RBI. He has five strikeouts and has walked two. Nicasio will be looking to keep the ball low in the zone during his start tonight. If he can display good command of all of his pitches then he has a good chance to have a great start and get the momentum going in the right direction for him.
Lucas Harrell has struggled in the month of May for the Astros. He has failed to pick up a victory in the month and has seen his ERA shoot up from 3.60 on April 29th, to 5.43. He should be well rested coming into the game today as he only lasted 1 2/3rd innings in his last start against the A's giving up six runs and walking three. On the year Harrell is 3-6 on the year with his ERA at 5.43. He has been much better away from Minute Maid Park as he has a 1-2 record with a 3.00 ERA in four games started. Every Rockies player who has faced Harrell for more than one at bat has at least one hit. Carlos Gonzalez is hitting .500 against Harrell in six at bats with one double and one home run. He may not find Coors Field to be as friendly as the other road parks he has been in, and the Rockies will be looking to make a statement against him in the game tonight.
The Astros lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Brandon Barnes, CF
2. Jose Altuve, 2B
3. Jason Castro, C
4. JD Martinez, RF
5. Carlos Pena, 1B
6. Chris Carter, LF
7. Matt Dominguez, 3B
8. Ronny Cedeno, SS
9. Lucas Harrell, P
The Rockies lineup for tonight's game is as follows:
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
3. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Todd Helton, 1B
7. Nolan Arenado, 3B
8. Yorvit Torrealba, C
9. Juan Nicasio, P
First pitch for tonight's game is scheduled for 6:40 PM Mountain time.
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