Game Preview: Chad Bettis continues to pitch for a job in 2014

I hope I'm not alone in my eager anticipation of each Chad Bettis start. This is the fun part of the game. Today, for me, the standings don't matter because we get to watch a young pitcher try to prove he has what it takes to play at this level.

We still don't know what is in store for the future of the right handed pitcher on the hill for the home team tonight.  That's what makes it fun. Right now, Chad Bettis has what all players hope for throughout their entire minor league careers; an opportunity.  Bettis holds his future in his hands and can, with consistent good performance, pitch his way into a starting job in next year's rotation.

His unflattering record might hide the fact that Chad Bettis has given up two or fewer runs in all of his starts excepting his debut in Atlanta. Also, other than his unusual game against Baltimore where he only managed 2.2 innings and gave up eight runs (only two earned) he has pitched at least five innings in every start.

Bettis should hope to eat up more innings if he can tonight though, having yet to pitch more than 6.0 in any game.

Also of note in this game is our beloved Toddfather's relentless pursuit of 2,500 hits. He currently sits at 2,497 so a nice game tonight could get it done.  Also, he only needs three more steals in his career to get to 40!

Finally, Tulo is back in the lineup tonight!

Lineups

Giants

1. Gregor Blanco (L) CF

2. Marco Scutaro (R) 2B

3. Brandon Belt (L) 1B

4. Hunter Pence (R) RF

5. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B

6. Hector Sanchez (S) C

7. Brandon Crawford (L) SS

8. Roger Kieschnick (L) LF

9. Yusmeiro Petit (R) P

Rockies

1. Corey Dickerson (L) LF

2. DJ LeMahieu (R) 2B

3. Troy Tulowitzki (R) SS

4. Michael Cuddyer (R) RF

5. Todd Helton (L) 1B

6. Wilin Rosario (R) C

7. Nolan Arenado (R) 3B

8. Charlie Blackmon (L) CF

9. Chad Bettis (R) P