Series Preview: Seattle Mariners vs Colorado Rockies

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Mar 10, 2015; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop C. Taylor (1) turns a double play on Colorado Rockies right fielder B. Barnes (1) in the first inning at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies have a very short homestead this week, playing the Seattle Mariners for three games before heading back to another East Coast road trip.

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The Colorado Rockies get an abbreviated home stand — only three games — against a decent enough club (don’t let the record fool you) — before heading back out on the road again over the weekend for a brutal east coast road trip.

So, suffice to say, coming off a road trip against the Cubs and Cardinals, and heading out for an east coast swing that includes the Nationals and Mets, means that three home games against the Mariners may be some of the Rockies’ best opportunities for a respite from the onslaught of good clubs away from Coors Field.

In other words, these three games may be the oasis in a long two weeks. And the Rockies may still blow it! (Too pessimistic?)

As always, here are your probable pitchers, along with the usual series preview fare about the Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners.

DATES, TIMES, AND PITCHERS (all times MT)

Monday, August 3, 6:40 pm
Eddie Butler (3-7, 4.82) vs. Felix Hernandez (12-6, 3.02)

Tuesday, August 4, 6:40 pm
Jon Gray (0-0, 0.00) vs. Vidal Nuno (0-1, 2.02)

Wednesday, August 5, 1:10 pm
Chris Rusin (3-4, 4.61) vs. Taijuan Walker (8-7, 4.73)

Next: Four Keys For The Rockies

Jul 26, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; A general view during the fifth inning between the Colorado Rockies and the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. The Rockies won 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

SERIES KEYS FOR THE ROCKIES

When does home cookin’ happen?

The Colorado Rockies are 24-27 at home, which not surprisingly gives them the second worst home record in the National League. That is surprising, though, at least for the fact that the club is usually solid at home and weak on the road.

The Rockies aren’t great on the road (they were 20-31 on Sunday), but remember: this team won 21 road games all year last year, so this is surely an improvement on that. But as far as the home games go: what gives? Will it turn around this week with a quick series win — or sweep — before the Rox head out on the road again?

Can the team score without Tulo?

The Rockies proved on the road in St. Louis that they could score a few runs without Tulo, so I suppose this shouldn’t concern you too badly, but it does need to be asked: will the Rockies have trouble scoring without one of their major run producing middle of the lineup guys?

Jose Reyes can be a top of the lineup catalyst, of course, but he’s not going to replace the Rockies’ superstar. So who will?

Plus, with Corey Dickerson now on the disabled list, the offense may scuffle at times this summer — let’s see who picks it up.

Speaking of Tulo… welcome home Jose Reyes?

The new shortstop surely won’t get the welcome that Troy Tulowitzki did (no clap-clap-clap chant for Reyes, I’d imagine), but he will probably get a nice welcome of his own. Or at least I’d hope.

Let’s see how Reyes does over the next couple weeks. Does he build up some trade value? Would he get moved in august as a waiver deadline trade candidate? Would the Rockies keep him through the fall so they can ship him out this winter? Either way, he’s at least going to suit up once for the Rockies at Coors.

Who not named Jorge De La Rosa will win a game?

Jorge De La Rosa isn’t going to get a start in this series — he’ll be tasked with a road start back on the east coast over the weekend — so who will it be to step up for the Rockies at home?

Chris Rusin throws pretty well — we’ve talked about that — and Eddie Butler, well, he isn’t throwing quite as well — we’ve talked about that too. Let’s see who that third starter is for the Rockies on Wednesday. Could it be Jon Gray? Or maybe John Lannan? Or even Christian Bergman?

One person it won’t be: Kyle Kendrick, who is now on the disabled list (by the way, we’ll find out more about Kendrick’s shoulder MRI later today or tomorrow).

Next: Let's Meet The Seattle Mariners

Jul 29, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher F. Hernandez (34) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s Meet The Mariners

Since we are only going to see this ball club maybe once a year if we are lucky, here are a few really important starting points you should know when it comes to meeting the Mariners…

Mariners trade Happ, recall four minor leaguers, is the season over? (Seattle PI).
So this is where Mariners writers, reporters, and fans find themselves right now. Join the club, y’all! It’s a bad place to be. And after the M’s were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks this past week, life is hard in the Pacific Northwest. And players are dropping like flies, with Mark Lowe, Dustin Ackley, and J.A. Happ all gone at the trade deadline.

August and everything after: the 2015 Seattle Mariners (Lookout Landing).
So it’s not a good time to be a Mariners fan (did I mention that). They are trending the wrong way very quickly — and remember, this was a club that was supposed to be pretty decent after picking up Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz, and developing young starters like Taijuan Walker to be set around Felix Hernandez.

Why should you keep watching? (Sodo Mojo Podcast.)
I feel like a lot of teams that are out of the playoff picture must feel like this right about now — especially when you either (a) suck to begin with, or (b) trade away every independent-minded and strong player on the team for prospects that aren’t a guarantee of much of anything.

OK, here we go — Rockies and Mariners beginning tonight from Coors Field. Who’s joining us for the three-game series in Denver?!

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