Rockies Game Preview: 6/19

     The Rockies will be playing the Toronto Blue Jays tonight in Toronto in the series finale. They dropped games one and two so they will be looking to salvage at least one victory tonight and maintain their position in the National League West division. Jeff Francis was rocked for eight runs last night and Juan Nicasio will have the task of making sure that doesn't happen tonight as well.

     Juan Nicasio will take the mound tonight, and will be looking to tame the hot Blue Jays offense. On the year Nicasio is 4-2 with a 4.86 ERA. He struggled in his last start as he went 5 2/3rd innings allowing seven hits, five runs, two walks and struck out four batters. He did not factor in the decision against the Phillies as he left when the game was in favor of the Rockies but the bullpen was unable to hold the lead. On the road this year Nicasio is 2-1 with a 4.86 ERA. He has limited experience against Blue Jays hitters but he has had the opportunity to watch them in the first two games of the series and he has learned that if you leave the ball out and over the zone, then they will hit it hard. Nicasio needs to have a good start today to assure that there is not a chance that he can be sent out to make room for Roy Oswalt on Thursday. All signs point to Jeff Francis being designated, but Nicasio still needs to make sure his name is not in the conversation at all.

     The Blue Jays will be sending veteran left handed pitcher Mark Buehrle to the hill tonight to face off against the Rockies. On the year Buehrle is 3-4 with a 4.66 ERA. He got off to a bad start this year but is pitching better as of late and will be looking to keep that going. His last time out he went seven innings allowing four hits, no runs, one walk and struck out seven. It was his best start of the year and he will want to continue throwing like that in this start. With Buehrle spending his entire career in the American League, the history between him and the Rockies hitters is very limited with the exception of Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer has faced Buehrle 107 times and has 34 hits including three home runs and 13 RBI. Buehrle will be trying to keep the Rockies offense down and not let them win their first ever game in Toronto.

     The Blue Jays lineup for today's game is as follows:
1. Melky Cabrera, LF
2. Jose Bautista, RF
3. Edwin Encarnacion, DH
4. Adam Lind, 1B
5. Colby Rasmus, CF
6. JP Arencibia, C
7. Maicer Izturis, 3B
8. Emilio Bonafacio, 2B
9. Munenori Kawasaki, SS

     The Rockies lineup for today's game is as follows:
1. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
2. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
3. Michael Cuddyer, RF
4. Wilin Rosario, DH
5. Nolan Arenado, 3B
6. Jordan Pacheco, 1B
7. Tyler Colvin, CF
8. Yorvit Torrealba, C
9. Josh Rutledge, SS

     First pitch for tonight's game is at 5:07 PM Mountain time.