The Rockies have never been happier to get back to Coors Field. They are coming off one of the worst road trips in team history as they finished the trip 1-9 and were swept by the Braves and the Mets. They failed to hit on any cylinders as they struggled offensively and on the mound. They lost two key players to the disabled list in Carlos Gonzalez and Tyler Chatwood, and they looked like they had no fight left in them and the season is over. Hopefully they can turn things around as they come back home, but they need a major spark in order to do so. It is a long season and this stretch that the Rockies are going through is tough for anyone to watch. They will be looking to end their five game losing streak tonight as they take on the Pirates.
Jorge De La Rosa will be taking the mound tonight for the Rockies to face off against the Pirates. On the year De La Rosa has put up decent numbers as he is 10-6 with a 3.31 ERA. He has been roughed up in his last two starts though and is looking to regain his form that he had earlier in the year. He faced off against the Pirates last week and did not make it into the fifth inning. He went four innings allowing six hits, three runs, two walks and had three strikeouts as he took the loss in the game. He will be looking to fair better against the Pirates this time around and get his 11th victory of the season. This year at home, De La Rosa has posted a great 6-1 record with a stellar 2.65 ERA in 10 games started. Current Pirates hitters have a .310 average against De La Rosa with two home runs and nine RBI in 71 combined at bats. Jose Tabata has both career home runs off of him as he is 4 for 10 against him with those two home runs and three RBI. Andrew McCutchen has also had good luck against him as he is 4 for 12 with two doubles and a triple. De La Rosa will need to work the ball down in the zone to be successful against the talented Pirates lineup. Some of the Pirates hitters are free swingers so he can work the ball on the outside of the zone and become successful and get a few more strikeouts.
The Rockies will be facing off tonight against the tough left hander for the Pirates in Francisco Liriano. Liriano is having a bounce back year with the Pirates this year and has been one of the best pitchers in the entire National League. This year he has posted a 12-4 record and tiny 2.04 ERA. He is currently second in the Major Leagues in ERA but has not pitched enough innings to qualify for the title. He missed all of April with a broken right arm but has been great since his return to the team. He faced the Rockies in his last start and was great as he went seven innings and allowed only two hits, no runs, five walks and had six strikeouts. The five walks were high for him but he was able to limit the damage with runners on base. He is second in the National League in wins right now with 12 and is one behind the leaders. On the road this year, Liriano is 5-3 with a 2.65 ERA in eight starts away from PNC Park. Rockies hitters have struggled against Liriano in their career matchups as they are hitting just .143 with two RBI in 35 combined at bats. Liriano is a tough test for the Rockies tonight but they will be looking to get some revenge against the Pirates and look to get a good start to the home stand.
The Pirates lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Starling Marte, LF
2. Jordy Mercer, SS
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Russell Martin, C
5. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
6. Gaby Sanchez, 1B
7. Neil Walker, 2B
8. Jose Tabata, RF
9. Francisco Liriano, 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. Todd Helton, 1B
7. Nolan Arenado, 3B
8. Charlie Culberson, LF
9. Jorge De La Rosa, P
First pitch for the game tonight is at 6:40 PM Mountain time. The Rockies will be looking to end their five game losing streak and get back on track.
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