Rockies Lineup – July 29, 2012: Sanchez Tries Again

Can I tell you how desperately I want Jonathan Sanchez to have a brilliant start today? I need it. He needs it. We need it. This team has dropped four straight series since the All-Star break, and they’re going to drop a fifth today no matter what happens. However, they can avoid the sweep, and complete and total ignominy, if they win. Also, Sanchez’s first start with the Rockies was no good, and I cannot handle a Jeremy Guthrie-like run of crummy starts from him. This ship is sinking fast. I’ll take anything that can arrest that a little.

Unfortunately, the lineup is going to have to do some damage against Mat Latos, noted Rockie killer in his days with San Diego. Latos was in for a rude awakening when he switched from pitching regularly at Petco Park to Great American Ballpark, but he maintains a 3.51 career ERA at Coors Field, not a bad mark for a visiting pitcher. The Latos I’d rather see is the one who gave up 5 home runs to Rockies hitters at GABP in May. Then again, he also got the win, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if we hit 5 homers today and still lose.

Tyler Colvin is back in the lineup today and Ramon Hernandez will catch in place of Wilin Rosario. Josh Rutledge will get another crack at batting 2nd. Dusty Baker has tweaked his lineup a tad, benching Scott Rolen and Ryan Ludwick and moving Todd Frazier to 3rd base.

Dexter Fowler CF
Josh Rutledge SS
Carlos Gonzalez LF
Michael Cuddyer 1B
Tyler Colvin RF
Ramon Hernandez C
Jordan Pacheco 3B
DJ LeMahieu 2B
Jonathan Sanchez P

Zack Cozart SS
Drew Stubbs CF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Jay Bruce RF
Todd Frazier 3B
Chris Heisey LF
Miguel Cairo 1B
Ryan Hanigan C
Mat Latos P

First pitch is 1:10 from Coors Field.