The Rockies lost the game last night against the Phillies, and they also may have lost their closing pitcher in Rafael Betancourt. Betancourt exited the game last night with an elbow injury that could end up costing him his career. He is scheduled for an MRI on Monday which will determine the severity of the injury. Betancourt has blown two straight saves and was placed on revocable waivers earlier in the day yesterday. This most recent injury all but certainly cemented the fact that he will not be picked up by another team prior to the deadline at the end of this month. The offense hit the ball well in Philadelphia but were unable to score many runs in the series, which is something they will be looking to make up for against the inferior Marlins team.
Jhoulys Chacin will be getting the ball for the Rockies in the first game of the series with the Marlins. Chacin has quietly had a great year as right now he is 11-7 with a very good 3.24 ERA. He took a loss in his last start against the Orioles as he went 5 1/3rd innings allowing nine hits, three runs, one walk, and struck out five in the game. Chacin has had a stellar second half of the year so far which he looks to improve upon tonight. In six games since the All Star break he has a 2.55 ERA but with the Rockies offensive struggles he has failed to garner much run support and is 2-3 in those six starts. On the road this year he has a 4-4 record with a stellar 2.14 ERA in 10 games started. Current Marlins are hitting for a .325 average against Chacin with one home run and six RBI in 40 combined at bats. The Marlins are currently in a rebuilding process but they have some good talent on the team in Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, and Jake Marisnick. They may be young but they will still take advantage of mistakes when they are given to them. Chacin will need to be careful and work the outer part of the zones effectively. Giancarlo Stanton is starting to heat up right now so he will need to be extra careful when they are facing him.
The Marlins will be sending Tom Koehler to the mound tonight to face off against the Rockies. Koehler has not had a great year as he is 3-8 with a 4.66 ERA in 22 games pitched (16 starts). In his last start against the Giants he lasted five innings allowing seven hits, three runs, had four walks and struck out four in the game on his way to a no decision. Easily his best start of the year came against the Rockies on July 22nd. In that start he went seven innings allowing eight hits, one run, no walks, and struck out seven batters on his way to his second victory of the season. He has struggled at Marlins Park this year as he is just 1-4 with a 5.06 ERA in nine games (seven starts). Current Rockies players are hitting .308 against Koehler with one home run and one RBI in 26 combined at bats. Troy Tulowitzki has the home run and RBI against him and is 2 for 3 in their meetings. Koehler is yet to retire DJ LeMahieu who is 3 for 3 against him with three singles.
The Marlins lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Christian Yelich, LF
2. Donovan Solano, 2B
3. Giancarlo Stanton, RF
4. Logan Morrison, 1B
5. Ed Lucas, 3B
6. Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
7. Jake Marisnick, CF
8. Jeff Mathis, C
9. Tom Koehler, P
The Rockies lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
3. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF
5. Wilin Rosario, C
6. Ryan Wheeler, 1B
7. Nolan Arenado, 3B
8. Charlie Blackmon, LF
9. Jhoulys Chacin, P
First pitch for the game tonight is scheduled for 5:10 PM Mountain time. The Rockies need a good start from Chacin where he goes deep into the game in order to preserve the overworked bullpen. Hopefully the Rockies will be able to avoid any more serious injuries for the remainder of the season. The Rockies are hoping that a trip to Marlins Park is just what they need in order to cure their road struggles.
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