Rockies President and CEO Dick Monfort addressed the rumors that the Rockies were shopping Michael Cuddyer when he said that there was no chance that Cuddyer was going to be traded before the trading deadline on July 31st. It is not clear whether or not the Rockies will be active on the trade market in the next two weeks as they try and look for starting pitching that can help them down the stretch. They did pick up Armando Galarraga in exchange for Parker Frazier on Monday so perhaps this means that the Rockies will try and be a little more active in the trade markets this year.
The Colorado Rockies are back from their four day layoff for the All Star break and they will be taking on the Chicago Cubs at home to begin a 10 game home stand. The Rockies will also be starting the second half with a healthy lineup which is more than they could produce towards the end before the All Star Break. It was key to be able to get Troy Tulowitzki in a few games before the break so he could get back his timing and shake off some of the rust that piled up while he was out with the broken rib. He should be primed for a strong second half push and will be looking to put the Rockies on his back and carry them into the playoffs.
Jorge De La Rosa will be taking the ball tonight for the Rockies as they face off against the Cubs. De La Rosa is now 9-5 on the year with a good 3.21 ERA. He picked up the win in his last start before the All Star break against the Padres despite battling control issues throughout the game. He lasted just five innings allowing just two hits, two runs, four walks and had four strikeouts in the game. It took him 99 pitches to get through five innings and the four walks was a season high. He needs to work within the strike zone to be successful, and he is really dangerous if he can work the counts in his favor. De La Rosa has been very good at home this year as he has posted a 5-1 record with a 3.15 ERA in eight games started. Perhaps the most impressive part of his home stats is that he has only given up one home run at Coors Field this year in over 45 innings of work. The history is limited between current Cubs hitters facing De La Rosa, but they are hitting .271 with four home runs and 10 RBI in 59 combined at bats. De La Rosa has kept Alfonso Soriano at bay in their previous match ups as he has just two hits in 14 at bats. De La Rosa had a very good first half of the year and has seemingly returned to the level he was at prior to the Tommy John surgery. He will be looking to do much of the same in the second half and he will be looking to start it by nailing down the victory over the Cubs tonight.
The Cubs will be sending Jeff Samardzija to the mound tonight to open up the second half of the season. Samardzija on the year has posted a 5-9 record with a 4.06 ERA. The Former Notre Dame wide receiver is now a flame thrower for the Cubs who has a live arm and a lot of potential. He was roughed up in his last start prior to the break as he took the loss against the Angels. He lasted only 4 2/3rd innings allowing nine hits, nine runs, two walks and he struck out five. He fell victim to the long ball as he gave up four home runs to the talented Angels offense. His previous season high for home runs allowed was two so he was really leaving the ball up and over the plate during the start. He has pitched well on the road this year even though his record might suggest differently. He is 3-5 with a very good 2.71 ERA in nine games pitched on the road this year. Samardzija threw a great game against the Rockies earlier in the year and was also a factor on the offensive side of things on his way to the 6-3 victory. He finished the game going eight innings allowing five hits, two runs, two walks and struck out seven. He also hit his first home run of the year which was a two run shot off of Jon Garland in the second inning. He has been able to keep current Rockies hitters down in his career against them as the Rockies are hitting just .220 against him with one home run and two RBI in 59 at bats. DJ LeMahieu has had good success off of him as he is 3 for 3 against him.
The Cubs Lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Darwin Barney, 2B
2. Cody Ransom, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Starlin Castro, SS
6. Junior Lake, CF
7. Dave Sappelt, RF
8. Wellington Castillo, C
9. Jeff Samardzija, P
The Rockies lineup for the game tonight 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. Wilin Rosario, C
8. Nolan Arenado, 3B
9. Jorge De La Rosa, P
First pitch for the Rockies vs. Cubs game tonight is at 6:40 PM Mountain time. The Rockies will be looking to build some momentum in the second half as they try to win the first game of their 10 game home stand. The Cubs took two out of three games in the only other meeting this season, so the Rockies will be looking to return the favor in this three game series.
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