Cardinals vs. Colorado Rockies: 3 Players To Watch For

After losing two out of three to the Miami Marlins at home, the Colorado Rockies shift their attention to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals have won five out of their last six games and currently have the best record in baseball. It will be a tough test for the Rockies as they look to climb the standings in the National League West.

In case you missed last series edition of three players to watch for vs. Miami, make sure to follow the link:

Last Series Picks:

1. Dee Gordon (Marlins): 6-for-14.
2. Ben Paulsen (Rockies): 1-for-6.
3. Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins): 3-for-14, 2B, HR, RBI.
WC. Charlie Blackmon (Rockies): 5-for-14, BB.

Jun 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta (27) hits a solo home run in the sixth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jhonny Peralta (Cardinals)

Peralta, 33, has been swinging a hot bat for the St. Louis Cardinals. Over the past seven days, Peralta is batting .400 (10-for-25) with one double, one home run, two walks and four runs batted in. The veteran has been a nice fill-in at shortstop for the Cards and rightfully so.

Peralta is slashing at a line of .321/.381./.524 on the season with 16 doubles, 9 home runs, 21 walks and 34 RBI’s. In a four-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which finished last night, Peralta went 7-for-15 with one double, one home run and three runs batted in.

Last season vs. Colorado:

6-for-20 (.300), 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 4 walks and 7 RBI’s.

Jun 2, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) hits a single in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

2. Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies)

Gonzalez, 29, hasn’t been performing up to his abilities so far this season but has been showing some promising signs of late. In the three-game set against the Marlins, CarGo went 5-for-11 with 2 home runs, 2 walks and 4 RBI’s.

On the season, Gonzalez is slashing .240/.320/.377 with 7 doubles, 6 home runs, 22 walks and 17 RBI’s. CarGo has homered in back-to-back games which is a step in the right direction not only for Carlos, but for the team.

(2012-2014) vs. St. Louis:

10-for-38 (.263), 2B, 5 BB, RBI.

May 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday (7) hits a three run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

3. Matt Holliday (Cardinals)

Holliday, 35, has been a stable part of St. Louis’ offense for quite some time now. The former Rockie only collected three hits in the four-game set against the Dodgers, but is looking to do some damage at Coors against his former team.

Holliday is slashing at .305/.419/.418 with 11 doubles, 3 home runs, 33 walks and 25 RBI’s on the season. Matt only has three home runs on the season, as mentioned above. His last home run came on April 25 against the Milwaukee Brewers — 43 days ago.

Last season vs. Colorado:

12-for-24 (.500), 5 doubles, 2 home runs, 3 walks and 7 RBI’s.

Jun 3, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chad Bettis (35) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Wild Card: Chad Bettis (Rockies)

Bettis, 25, has been Colorado’s best starter with Chris Rusin coming in a close second. The right-hander has put together four-straight quality starts, collecting a 2-0 record over that span — Colorado won all four games. On the season, Bettis is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA.

In Chad’s last start, the native of Lubbock, Texas went six strong inning against the Dodgers, allowing one run on five hits while striking out five. Bettis picked up the no-decision as the Rockies went on to win the game, 7-6.

The Colorado Rockies (25-30) open up a three-game set with the best team in baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals (38-19). The Rockies will send out right-hander David Hale (1-0, 4.26 ERA) in-game one as St. Louis counters with veteran righty John Lackey (4-3, 2.93). First-pitch from Coors Field is scheduled for 8:40 PM EST, 6:40 PM MST.