Game no. 32 thread: Austin Gomber vs Jack Flaherty

The Colorado Rockies (12-19) visit St. Louis for the first time this season, looking for a victory against the Cardinals’ (18-14) Jack Flaherty, Yadier Molina, and... others.

Austin Gomber has had an odd start to the season. In his 29 innings of work, he’s given up 23 hits to the tune of a 5.90 ERA. While much of that damage came from a particularly brutal start against the Giants, Gomber’s inability to find the strike zone has been a pain point in all of his starts (20 walks on the season). His most recent start against Arizona did show signs on improvement, as he went six innings and allowed four runs (two earned) against five hits, four strikeouts, and just one free pass. Colorado hopes that Gomber can continue to take steps forward in his development, and that facing his former club will provide some extra incentive to do so.

Jack Flaherty is undefeated on the season at 5-0. He’s allowed just 25 hits in his 34 ¹⁄₃ innings against 10 walks and 36 strikeouts, all amounting to a 3.41 ERA. Flaherty was a tad shaky in his last start in Pittsburgh, but settled in and finished strongly, allowing three earned runs in six innings with two walks and nine strikeouts. In his two career starts against the Rockies, he’s sitting on a 1-1 record with a 3.18 ERA.

As far as offensive matchups, Raimel Tapia and Trevor Story are both 1-for-3 against Flaherty, and Charlie Blackmon owns a home run in his six at-bats. None of the Cardinals (except one) have faced Austin Gomber before.

OK, fine, I’ll talk about it: This will also be the first time the Rockies will face former franchise cornerstone Nolan Arenado. Austin Gomber was the only major league-ready talent Colorado received in that highly controversial trade, so the intrigue will be high as the two match up.

We’ll get through it together.

First Pitch: 6:15pm MDT

TV: AT&T Sports Net Rocky Mountain; MLB.tv

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Lineups: