Series Preview: Colorado Rockies vs Pittsburgh Pirates

Jul 19, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder C. Gonzalez (left) is greeted by third baseman N. Arenado (28) after Gonzalez hit a two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Series Keys For The Rockies

Is CarGo healthy?

Carlos Gonzalez sat out the final game of the Atlanta Braves’ series with right knee soreness (as did Nolan Arenado, though his day off was just a day of rest, rather than injury).

CarGo has been dealing with knee soreness for a couple weeks now, so hopefully he’s healthy enough to play the series in Pittsburgh, thanks to double days off on Wednesday and Thursday.

Obviously, the Rockies could use his bat in the lineup against Francisco Liriano and J.A. Happ on the first two nights of the series.

Which pitcher is which?

Both Jon Gray and Chris Rusin have shown Jekyll and Hyde tendencies lately; both threw well in their second-to-last starts, but each struggled in their most recent starts at home. Now, which one will show up on the road?

Jorge De La Rosa is (thankfully) almost a guarantee at this point to go 6+ innings and keep the Rockies close enough in a game, but Rusin and Gray are both still working to find their consistency during a tough stretch.

Good bullpen, keep it up!

The Rockies’ bullpen has thrown scoreless innings in four straight games now — the first stretch of its length all season! Can they keep it up in Pittsburgh and give the starters a chance to win some games.

Sadly, we know how this will likely go, but, well, let’s just be optimistic for a day or two?

Next: Let's Meet The Pittsburgh Pirates