Colorado Rockies game no. 114 thread: Antonio Senzatela vs. Framber Valdez

Maybe the offense will show up today and maybe Antonio Senzatela can get his first win since June 2. It’s a day game and we’re trying to be optimistic. If things go well, and thanks to two wins over Houston in April at Coors Field, the Rockies could still take the season series against the AL West’s first-place team.

In order for that to happen, the offense has to bounce back from being shut out on Tuesday night, which set a franchise record for most in a season at 14. All 14 have happened on the road, where the Rockies are 13-41 and on track to make history as the worst road team of all time.

For the first time this season, the Rockies will go with an outfield of Sam Hilliard, Garrett Hampson, and Yonathan Daza, from left to right, with the Rockies opting to play Daza and sit Charlie Blackmon for one more right-handed bat against lefty Framber Valdez. Taylor Motter will get his second straight start, but this time will be at third base after making his Rockies debut and DHing on Tuesday.

Valdez, who is 7-3 with a 3.22 ERA in 13 starts with 73 strikeouts and a 1.300 WHIP in 78 1/3 innings this season, uses a combo of a sinker (49 percent of pitches), curveball (30 percent), changeup (13 percent), and four-seam fastball (8 percent).

Senzatela, who is 2-8 in 18 starts with a 4.73 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 99 innings with a 1.410 WHIP, will be making his second start since missing nearly a month due to COVID protocols. In his first start back vs. the Cubs, Senzatela kept Chicago off the scoreboard for four innings, but he gave up four runs on five hits and had to exit. The Rockies rallied back to win the game 6-5.

First Pitch: 12:10 P.M. MDT

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

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

Lineups: