The Rockies are beginning a three game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks today which could result in the Rockies overtaking first place if they are able to sweep them. The Rockies currently sit two and a half games behind the Diamondbacks in the standings and are looking to make a move prior to the All Star break. The Rockies were able to salvage one game against the Dodgers as they won yesterday 9-4. Carlos Gonzalez had to leave the game early with a back injury but it does not sound too serious and he should not miss an extended amount of time if any.
Jorge De La Rosa will be the starting pitcher for the Rockies in the opening game of the series tonight. De La Rosa has had a good year so far and is 8-4 with a 3.09 ERA. He should be garnering some All Star votes but in all likelihood he will miss out on pitching in the game. He took a no decision in his last start against the Giants as he threw the ball well during the game. He finished going six innings allowing six hits, one run, one walk and struck out four batters. He came out to pitch in the seventh inning but was removed from the game due to a bruise on his left thumb. This will be something that the Rockies training staff will be looking very carefully at as he takes the mound tonight. On the road this year, De La Rosa has a 3-3 record with a 3.04 ERA in nine games started. On the year, he has faced off against the D-Backs three times and has a 2-1 record. He has gone a combined 17 1/3rd innings allowing 15 hits, three runs, seven walks, and struck out 10. Arizona hitters are hitting just .250 against him on the year. De La Rosa has held current D-Back players to a career .270 average in 111 combined at bats with three home runs and 10 RBI. Former Giant and current D-Back Cody Ross has had the most luck against him as he is hitting .333 with two home runs and five RBI. De La Rosa will be looking to control the strike zone tonight much like he has done for the majority of the year. If he can get ahead of hitters then he will have the ability to get them to swing at pitches out of the zone later in the counts. It will also be interesting to see how his thumb holds up throughout his start and if it cause him any issues when throwing the off speed pitches.
The Diamondbacks will be sending one of their young arms with a lot of talent to the mound tonight in Tyler Skaggs. Skaggs will have the task of facing off against a very talented Rockies offense which is hungry to make a move in the division standings. Skaggs will be making only his fourth start on the year as he has been in AAA for the majority of the season. He was not putting up great numbers at AAA as he was just 6-6 with a 4.26 ERA, but he made enough strides that the D-Backs felt he was ready for the Major League level. In his previous three starts this year he has a 1-1 record with a 5.40 ERA. His last start for the D-Backs was on June 9th against the Giants and he was roughed up a bit as he allowed eight hits and five runs in five innings pitched. Skaggs will be taking the rotation spot of Trevor Cahill who was placed on the disabled list earlier in the week. Skaggs has had two other starts at home this year and one was very good and the other was rough. His first start of the year was at home against the Rangers on May 27th. He was phenomenal in the game as he went six innings allowing just three hits, no runs walking three and striking out nine and notching his first win of the season. His next start at home was against the Giants and he lasted just five innings and took the loss in the game. Skaggs has great stuff and has the ability to become a top of the rotation starter for the Diamondbacks. He was rated the #10 prospect in all of Major League Baseball by MLB.com prior to the start of the 2013 season.
The Diamondbacks lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. AJ Pollick, CF
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Miguel Montero, C
5. Cody Ross, LF
6. Martin Prado, 3B
7. Gerardo Parra, RF
8. Didi Gregorius, SS
9. Tyler Skaggs, P
The Rockies lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
2. Corey Dickerson, LF
3. Michael Cuddyer, RF
4. Wilin Rosario, C
5. Jordan Pacheco, 1B
6. Nolan Arenado, 3B
7. Tyler Colvin, CF
8. Josh Rutledge, SS
9. Jorge De La Rosa, P
First pitch for the game tonight is at 7:40 PM Mountain time. The Rockies will be looking to get on the board early and often and take advantage of the Diamondbacks who are coming off of a marathon series against the Mets in which they played extra innings twice. Their bullpen is tired and the Rockies will be looking to put up some big numbers against the young starter Tyler Skaggs.
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