After losing the first two games of a three game road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockies will try to avoid being swept this afternoon at Chavez Ravine. They will run Ubaldo Jimenez, who, in the light of Aaron Cook's performance yesterday, very well might be establishing himself as the team's ace.
In his starts against LA, Jimenez is 1-0 but has an unsightly 11.12 ERA in three starts at Dodger Stadium. Let's hope that he can find his control today in the warm weather in LA.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers will counter with rookie starter James McDonald, who will be making only his second MLB start today. He lost his first start, giving up five runs in 2.1 IP and showing a tendency for wildness. The Rockies should really work the counts against McDonald, getting his pitch count up and making him throw strikes early and often.
Obviously, the pitching matchup favors the Rockies in this game, so if all goes according to plan, Colorado should escape with a win, dealing LA their first home loss and snapping their seven game winning streak. But in baseball, anything is possible. That's why they play the games.
Ian Stewart is rewarded for his home-run yesterday with a start in LF and will hit second, while Dexter Fowler's 2-3 day off the bench is also rewarded with a CF start from the leadoff hole--replacing Smith and Spilborghs. Meanwhile, Chris Iannetta is back in the lineup but has slid down to the eighth spot in the order.
Patrick Saunders' list also details the struggles of Chris Iannetta and the successful debut of Juan Morillo for the Twins.