Series Preview: Colorado Rockies vs St. Louis Cardinals

Jul 29, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays new shortstop T. Tulowitzki speaks to the media during a news conference to discuss his trade from the Colorado Rockies at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

SERIES KEYS FOR THE ROCKIES

Do whatever you did last time

Remember when the Cardinals came to Denver a few weeks ago? The Rockies took two out of three games in the series, nearly stole the third, and altogether looked like a different team against the Cardinals than they have been against pretty much anybody else before or since (well, besides that Opening Series dominance of the Milwaukee Brewers).

This shouldn’t surprise you, but the Cardinals have won or split every single series they’ve had since that three-game set in Denver in early June. Can the Rockies upend the Cardinals again this weekend? Or will the Cards actually, you know, do to the Rockies what should’ve been done the first time?

Life after Tulo?

Yeah, yeah, I know. The Rockies are going to be without Tulo for, well, forever from here on out. It’s Jose Reyes‘ team. (You know, for now.).

But seriously, what is going to happen to the Rockies’ offense in the short-term without one of their very best hitters? Can the club figure something out (a) on the road, (b) against the best team in baseball, and (c) against four of the very best pitchers in the game?

You heard it here first: it’s going to be a long series, folks.

So who exactly is in the starting rotation?

De La Rosa isn’t listed as a starter this series in some probable pitcher lists, and Flande is the listed Sunday afternoon starter for the Rockies in the day game finale. What gives? Considering Flande’s first start earlier this week, and De La Rosa’s struggles wtih a finger injury, both slots make sense, but damn… can we get some continuity in the starting rotation?

Next: Let's Meet The St. Louis Cardinals