Series Preview: San Francisco Giants vs Colorado Rockies

Sep 2, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies pinch hitter C. Adames (18) hits a single during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

SERIES KEYS FOR THE ROCKIES

How’s that six-man rotation?

The Rockies are putting themselves through a six-man rotation (why, God, why?!) with the expanded rosters — a rotation that includes Kyle Kendrick (though he’s not going to throw in this Giants series.

Obviously, because of the doubleheader with Arizona earlier this week, the rotation won’t really get an extra day of rest for the Giants series, but their rest — and greater bullpen depth — will certainly come into play later this month.

Capitalize on a tough Giants’ series in L.A.

The Giants were just swept in Los Angeles in a series that was extremely damaging to their playoff chances, and they’re coming into Denver for four games fresh off an emotionally draining series that included a 14-inning loss and two other close losses.

Those losses have the Giants reeling now, 6.5 games out of first place in the NL West with just a few weeks left to go in the season. As crazy as it sounds, the Rockies could actually help put ’em away over these four games (but… let’s be honest).

Either way, the Giants are going to be emotionally and psychologically beat. Expect a hangover for at least the first part of this series. Will the Colorado Rockies take advantage?

Playoff series (kinda)

The San Francisco Giants are in full-on holy crap we aren’t going to make the playoffs mode, so expect them to come in with a serious kind of intensity, regardless of how mentally and physically tough their series in Los Angeles may have been. And with Bumgarner, Peavy, and Vogelsong on the hill, with one start TBD, there won’t be an easy game among the four.

Ultimately, it’s on the Rockies to play to that level, too — and while no one believes the Rockies are going to sweep the Giants (or even win a series here, who are we kidding?), it’ll be interesting to see how well the club can play spoiler to a team with postseason aspirations.

Look out for reinforcements!

The Colorado Rockies already brought up Wilin Rosario and Cristhian Adames, and Miguel Castro and reactivated Boone Logan from the disabled list on September 1 when rosters could first expand. Then later, they brought up Brooks Brown and Justin Miller to help the bullpen even more.

Now, as there is only one more series for AAA Albuquerque, perhaps another player or two — maybe even a prospect! — will come up for the Giants series and the rest of September. Time for 2016 auditions!

Next: Let's Meet The San Francisco Giants