The Colorado Rockies look to start 5-0 for the first time in team history

The Rockies will try to remain undefeated through five games today as they take on the Chicago Cubs in the second of a three game series. The club started 4-0 in 1995, but if the Rockies win today it will be their first ever 5-0 start. Everything is clicking right now. Most of the bats are hot, the starting pitching has been excellent (yesterday excepted), and the bullpen has been lights out.

Opening Day starter Kyle Kendrick will take the mound for his second start in a Rockies uniform. Kendrick impressed in his debut. He threw seven shutout innings, during which he didn't walk a batter and struck out six. While not a pitcher who usually has swing and miss stuff, Kendrick induced nine whiffs in his last outing.

If he's going to continue that trend, the Cubs are a likely team to do it against. Cubs hitters have struck out in a full 30.2 percent of plate appearances in three games this season. Only the Astros have struck out at a greater rate. Still, Kendrick's first outing doesn't mean he's going to become someone who strikes a batter out an inning. It will be more worthwhile to pay attention to whether or not he can continue to not walk batters. That's a skill Kendrick has exhibited in the past, and it's one he'll need if he's going to be successful this season.

Toeing the rubber against the Rockies will be former Rockie Jason Hammel. Hammel will be making his season debut this evening. Before the 2014 season began, Hammel signed a one year contract with the Cubs. Before the deadline in that same season, the Cubs traded Hammel along with Jeff Samardzija to the Oakland Athletics. Then, before the 2015 season, Hammel re-signed with the Cubs. It is possible to trade a player and then to re-sign him, it appears. Hammel was more effective in the National League last year than the American League, but together he finished with a very nice 3.47 ERA.

<!-- BEGIN WIDGET -->

<div class="pane sports_data_widget lineup clearfix">

<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>

<div class="lineup">

<table cellspacing="0" class="zebra">

<thead>

<tr>

<th align="left">CHICAGO CUBS</th>

<th align="left">COLORADO ROCKIES</th>

</tr>

</thead>

<tbody>

<tr><td class="td-last td-name">Dexter Fowler - CF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Charlie Blackmon - CF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Jorge Soler - RF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Carlos Gonzalez - RF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Anthony Rizzo - 1B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Troy Tulowitzki - SS</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Miguel Montero - C</td><td class="td-first td-name">Justin Morneau - 1B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Starlin Castro - SS</td><td class="td-first td-name">Nolan Arenado - 3B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Chris Coghlan - LF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Corey Dickerson - LF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Mike Olt - 3B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Nick Hundley - C</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Jason Hammel - RHP</td><td class="td-first td-name">DJ LeMahieu - 2B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Arismendy Alcantara - 2B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Kyle Kendrick - RHP</td></tr></tbody>

</table>

</div>

</div>

<!-- END WIDGET -->