As bad as the first two months of the season went, the Rockies have not lost five games in a row even once this season. After losing four straight since the first time since May 31-June 3, now would be a tragically poetic time to do it. Let's not go there.
To avoid it, the Rockies need to win a matchup of a fifth starter vs an All-Star, a tall task on the road. First, Jason Hammel absolutely must throw his sixth straight start of allowing no more than three runs. If I can be choosy, I'll take the Hammel we saw in his last two starts, where he allowed 3 runs in 14 innings vs two above average offensive teams (Washington and Los Angeles) in offensive parks (Nationals Park and Coors Field). Good Hammel is essential.
Then there's Matt Cain, whose FIP is 3.90, significant since his career FIP is also 3.90. He is pitching essentially like he has his entire career, except he's doing a better job getting clutch outs - his LOB% is an astronomical 85.6%, second only to J.A. Happ in MLB. For a team that has scored 6 runs in 4 games, clutch hitting will be the crutch.
Cain hasn't won in six starts. Let's not give him win 13 too. Time to get that 2 game lead back.