This game can be all about momentum, which is good news for Rockies fans. The Rockies have won five out of six games (probably should have been six straight) and just polished off Chad Billingsley and the blue quite easily last night. The Rockies have won 4 of Jason Hammel's last five starts and are 9-1 in Hammel's starts at Coors Field since he returned from the disabled list May 15 (8-0 vs the National League). Now there is momentum.
This game can be all about momentum, which is good news for Dodgers fans. Los Angeles has won four of five and have taken ten consecutive series against the Rockies dating back to August 19-21, 2008, six of which came by winning the final game after the first two games were split. Today's starter, Ted Lilly, shutout the Rockies on hits August 19. Moreover, Lilly can be the first Dodger pitcher in 35 years to record six wins in a calendar month. Since all of those six wins would come in Lilly's first six starts with Los Angeles, he would also tie Kazuhisa Ishii for the most consecutive wins to start his career with the Dodgers. That is scary momentum.
Writing game previews is all about momentum, and I think I have confused myself and run out. Whoever wins today will have momentum, which only helps as far as the next game's pitcher. How about that?
Lineup Notes: Manny Ramirez, critical to the Dodgers' ability to contend, is on the bench for the fourth straight game. Ian Stewart is on the bench with a tweaked oblique, so Herrera is getting a shot at third. Melvin Mora has just 3 hits in 41 career PA vs Lilly.
