Rockies at Mets, August 22 2012: Game Time, Lineups, And Preview

Colorado Rockies at New York Mets, 5:10 PM MDT

With the victory last night over the Mets, the Rockies have matched their high for wins in a month this season. After going 11-11 in April, Colorado has not had a winning month but are 11-9 so far in August including winning seven of their last nine game. The Mets on the other hand are in a tailspin going 11-26 since the All-Star break falling completely out of the playoff race.

Jeff Francis will start for the Rockies bring a 4-4 record and a 6.07 ERA over 15 starts into the game. In a season of historically bad Rockies pitching, Francis has been one the more reliable starters and will move into a tie for first in 2012 games started with 16 despite not joining the team until early June. The Mets will send one of their top prospects to the hill in Matt Harvey, the 7th overall pick in the 2010 Amateur Draft will make his sixth MLB start and has impressed so far with a 2-3 record and a 3.00 ERA while striking out 34 batters over 30 innings. In his last two starts Harvey has gone 1-1, but has only allowed 3 runs over 13 2/3 innings.

The big news for the Rockies is the return of Carlos Gonzalez who last played on August 17th and has been on bereavement leave. Cargo is currently 6th in the N.L. with a .320 average and 4th with 79 RBI.

Charlie Blackmon (L) RF
Jonathan Herrera (S) SS
Dexter Fowler (S) CF
Carlos Gonzalez (L) LF
Wilin Rosario (R) C
Tyler Colvin (L) 1B
Chris Nelson (R) 3B
DJ LeMahieu (R) 2B
Jeff Francis (L) P

The Mets shake up their line-up with Jason Bay, Ronny Cedeno and Kelly Shoppach getting their first starts of the series.

Ruben Tejada (R) SS
Ronny Cedeno (R) 2B
David Wright (R) 3B
Scott Hairston (R) RF
Ike Davis (L) 1B
Jason Bay (R) LF
Andres Torres (S) CF
Kelly Shoppach (R) C
Matt Harvey (R) P