Colorado Rockies Series Preview: Here Come the Dodgers

Tonight, the Colorado Rockies will take the field against the Los Angeles Dodgers in what will be the biggest series the two teams have played since the 2009 season.

Seven years ago, the Rockies and Dodgers were in a tight contest to see who would win the National League West (the Dodgers did). This year, the two teams are battling in early August as a preview of what could be a race to the postseason between several National League clubs.

In the standings, the 52-53 Rockies are seven games behind the 59-46 Dodgers in the race for the NL West. In the Wild Card hunt, the Dodgers lead all teams with Colorado five games out of the slot for the second Wild Card spot.

It’s always interesting when these two rivals get together … but there’s a little added intrigue this season as Coors Field should have a playoff-type atmosphere with the red-hot Rockies returning home from a 5-2 road trip through Baltimore and the New York Mets.

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New-look Dodgers

The Dodgers who come to Coors Field for a three-game set starting tonight will look different than the team that swept the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in early July. Los Angeles was very active at the trade deadline, most notably picking up outfielder Josh Reddick and pitcher Rich Hill from the Oakland A’s.

Reddick was the most interesting piece acquired by the Dodgers before the deadline, and the pickup could well change the dynamics of the race for the NL West spot (Los Angeles is only two games behind the San Francisco Giants). Reddick’s acquisition also seemingly signaled a crossroads moment for Yasiel Puig in Dodger blue.

Puig, who made a highlight reel throw from right field in an earlier game this season at Coors Field to nail Trevor Story at third (see below), did not travel with the Dodgers to Denver. He’s reportedly heading to the minors in a transaction that didn’t seem to sit too well with Puig.

Starting the series

In Tuesday night’s opener, Brandon McCarthy (2-1, 2.39 ERA) will make just his sixth start of the season against Colorado’s Jon Gray (7-4, 3.94 ERA), who has been stellar at Coors Field, posting a 4-0 mark and 4.22 ERA.

Will Nolan get rollin’?

Nolan Arenado is hitting just .115 over his last seven games and the Colorado Rockies are hoping a return to LoDo will be the cure for their All-Star third baseman, who is just 1 for his last 18 at the plate. If there is a silver lining to the slump, the Rockies are proving they can win without Nolan being the focus of the offense.

Next: Evaluating Colorado's Quiet Trade Deadline

Denver, Meet Mr. Dahl

Tuesday night will be the first chances that the Colorado faithful will be able to see David Dahl play in person. The prized prospect made his Major League Baseball debut in Baltimore and has shown he earned the promotion, batting .370 and hitting safely in all seven games he has appeared.