Rockies Game Preview: 6/20

     The Colorado Rockies are beginning their series against the Washington Nationals on Thursday night. The Nationals got the better of the Rockies in the series earlier this month as the Nats took two out of three against the Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies will be looking to dish out some payback and return the favor to the Nationals as they begin the series at Nationals Park.

     Roy Oswalt will be making his season debut and will be pitching in his first game as a member of the Colorado Rockies. Oswalt has battled some back issues over the last couple of years but says he is feeling better now and will be looking to regain some of the form that led him to three all stars games in his career. He was named the NLCS MVP in 2005 as he helped lead the Astros to the World Series. In his career Oswalt is 163-96 with a 3.28 ERA. If he can regain even a portion of what he used to be then the Rockies will be getting an upgrade over Jeff Francis. He will be called upon to go deeper into ball games and also be a veteran leader to the younger pitchers on the team. Look for him to try and make a big splash and beat the Nationals in tonight's game.

     Facing off against Oswalt tonight will be young right hand pitcher Jordan Zimmerman. Zimmerman is having an All Star caliber year as he has posted a 9-3 record with a 2.44 ERA. He was roughed up in his last start as he lasted only five innings and gave up eight hits and six runs against the Cleveland Indians. He has been perfect at home this year in seven starts, he is 6-0 with a staggering 1.06 ERA. He has been nearly untouchable at home and that is something that he will be looking to continue tonight against the struggling Rockies offense. Current Rockies are hitting just .245 with no home runs and no RBI in 53 combined at bats against him. They only have one extra base hit against Zimmerman so he has had the number of the Rockies in his career.

     The Nationals lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Anthony Rendon, 2B'
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Adam LaRoche, 1B
5. Jayson Werth, RF
6. Ian Desmond, SS
7. Steve Lombardozzi, LF
8. Kurt Suzuki, C
9. Jordan Zimmerman, P

     The Rockies lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Tyler Colvin, CF
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
3. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF
5. Nolan Arenado, 3B
6. Todd Helton, 1B
7. Yorvit Torrealba, C
8. Jonathan Herrera, SS
9. Roy Oswalt, P

     First pitch for tonight's game is at 5:05 PM Mountain time.