Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies: 3 Players To Watch For

The Colorado Rockies are coming off a huge three-game sweep over the Philadelphia Philles at Citizens Bank Park. Next up: Los Angeles Dodgers. Here are your three players to watch for in the four-game set against the National League West leading Dodgers.

If you missed the previous series edition against the Philadelphia Phillies, make sure to follow the link.

Last series picks:

Nolan Arenado (COL): 3-for-12, 2 HR, 4 RBI.
Ryan Howard (PHI): 1-for-12, 2B, RBI.
Chad Bettis (COL): (Win) 8.0 innings pitched, 2 hits, 7 strikeouts.

May 10, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

1. Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers)

Kershaw, 27, is arguably coming off his best performance of the season — defeating the Atlanta Braves at home by the final score of 8-0. Kershaw hurled seven strong inning, giving up just four hits while fanning 10. He will be making his fourth start already this season against the Rockies, compiling a 2-0 record with an ERA of 4.42.

In his last start against the Rockies (May 15), Kershaw picked up his second victory of the season (both vs. Colorado) in a 6-4 victory at Dodger Stadium. Colorado scored four runs in the seven inning to chase Kershaw, in which he pitched 6.2 innings, yielding three runs on four hits whiling striking out 10.

May 21, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) hits a two run single in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

2. Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies)

Tulowitzki, 30, was in a heavy slump up until the Phillies’ series. The All-Star shortstop entered the three-game set with Philadelphia batting at a measly .266 — not up to par with Tulo’s abilities. Quickly enough, we saw the same old Tulo yet again.

Thanks to a 4-for-4 performance in a Rockies 4-1 victory over ace Cole Hamels, Tulo belted out two solo home runs. Not to mention, Tulowitzki went 1-for-4 with a double the very next game, raising his average to .284 on the season. Hopefully this is the sign of something good for Colorado’s three-hitter.

May 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick (38) during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

3. Kyle Kendrick (Rockies)

Kendrick, 30, has been pitching much better of late, although his line doesn’t hint at that whatsoever. As Kendrick prepares for his Monday night start against the Dodgers at Coors Field, he enters the game with a record of 2-6, including a rough ERA of 6.38.

Good news for Kendrick is, that over his last four starts, he has given up just 11 earned runs over 27.2 innings pitched — good for a 3.58 ERA (1-2 record). In his last start against Cincinnati, Kendrick was in cruise control up until the eight inning where the wheels fell off. He picked up the victory however, going 7.1 innings while giving up four runs on five hits.

Honorable Mentions:

Dodgers: Andre Either, OF. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B.

Rockies: Nick Hundley, C. DJ LeMahieu, 2B.

The Colorado Rockies open up a four-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday night at Coors Field. Kyle Kendrick (2-6, 6.38 ERA) gets the nod for game one as he goes up against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (3-3, 3.86 ERA). First-pitch is scheduled for 8:40 PM EST, 6:40 PM MST.