After avoiding a sweep at the hands of the A’s by way of a Thursday evening victory, the Rockies will attempt to turn in their first winning streak of the season when they head down to California to play the San Diego Padres over the weekend.
To that end, Colorado will send Germán Márquez (0-1, 2.45 ERA) to the mound. Márquez has turned in two starts this season – one excellent, and one solid but shaky. His last time out saw the veteran right-hander allow six walks, and he was lucky to escape having allowed just three earned runs. Keeping the bases clear will be paramount for Márquez as he attempts to stifle one of MLB’s best offenses.
Nick Pivetta (1-1, 2.70 ERA), meanwhile, is coming off a tough start of his own. After seven dazzling one-hit innings against the Atlanta Braves, he was stung by the surging Chicago Cubs for three runs in three frames. The Rockies will try to give a similar performance, and history is on their side – in five previous appearances against Colorado as a member of the Phillies and Red Sox, the Canadian owns a record of 0-5 and an ERA north of 15.
Colorado’s offense exploded for a seven-run, taco’s-granting effort yesterday, and will do what they can to produce similar results against the Padres this weekend. That’s easier said than done, though, especially against San Diego, who enter Friday’s slate of games as baseball’s winningest team.
It’s a return to the lineup for Kris Bryant, who’s 3-for-8 with an RBI against Pivetta and was given the day off on Thursday (though he did make an appearance as a pinch-hitter). Brenton Doyle will take his first rest day of the season, so exciting youngster Zac Veen moves up into the leadoff spot while Mickey Moniak holds down center field.
On the anniversary of the last major brawl in Rockies history, will the intensity be palpable when these two teams lock horns once again? Let’s find out!
First Pitch: 7:40 p.m. MT
TV: Rockies.tv
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
Lineups:
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