Brewers @ Rockies: Three Game Weekend Series Preview

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The Milwaukee Brewers and the Colorado Rockies will meet this weekend at Coors Field for the final time of 2017. Earlier this year, the Rox won three of four from the Brew Crew to begin the 2017 campaign. Over four months later, both teams are still fighting for postseason spots and hold similar records heading into this weekend’s three-game tilt.

The Rockies first three wins of the year came against the Brewers. They were also handed their first loss of the season by the Brewers. Since then, the two teams haven’t seen each other, but both have had solid season that could result in a playoff birth for one or both teams.

Opening Day saw Jon Gray (who’s not scheduled to pitch in the upcoming series) get roughed up over four innings, blowing a 4-0 Rockies lead. However, the bullpen allowed no runs and just one hit in five innings of work to help the Rox.

The Rockies capitalized on a couple of errors late in the game to take a 7-5 lead to the bottom of the ninth, where Greg Holland picked up his first save of the 2017 season. Offensively, the game was highlighted by a Mark Reynolds two-run shot in the second inning, the first home run for the Rox in the 2017 season.

The second game of the series and the season was a close one, but the Rox came out on top, 6-5. Starter Tyler Anderson was roughed up for all five runs, but the bullpen once again was lights out and Holland picked up his second save in as many days.

Offensively, Reynolds had another nice day, picking up another RBI on the young season. Gerardo Parra had three hits, three RBIs, and scored the winning run in the top of the fifth.

The third game of the series saw the Rox lose their first game of the season, 6-1. The Rockies didn’t even score until the top of the ninth, but Reynolds picked up the RBI, the third consecutive game in which he had an RBI.

The final game of the series saw the Rox win to take the series, 2-1. Holland picked up the save, his third of the series and the season. Reynolds stayed hot, lashing a homerun to the opposite field for his second long ball of the year and fourth game in a row with an RBI.

The Brewers tied the game on a solo shot of their own in the seventh, but Nolan Arenado launched the game winning solo shot in the top of the ninth to secure the series win for Colorado.

DENVER, CO – JULY 07: Starting pitcher German Marquez #48 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the first ining against the Chicago White Sox at Coors Field on July 7, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Probable Starting Pitchers

On Friday, the Rockies will be starting German Marquez (9-5, 4.13 ERA) against fellow rookie Brandon Woodruff (1-1, 1.50 ERA in two starts).

On Saturday, Chad Bettis will be making his second start of the season after his phenomenal seven-innings of shutout baseball in his return from testicular cancer and chemotherapy. He’ll be squaring off against Matt Garza (6-6, 4.38 ERA). (EDITOR’S NOTE: Since the publication of this article, the Brewers decided to switch Brandon Woodruff and Matt Garza in their rotation).

On Sunday, Kyle Freeland (11-7, 3.74 ERA) will be starting for the Rockies and he’ll be facing Chase Anderson, who will be making his return of the disabled list. His last start was on June 28 and during the game, he suffered from an oblique strain that has shelved on the DL since. He is 6-2 with a 2.89 ERA.

Anderson’s numbers have helped the Brewers in pitching stats as they are in the top half of the NL in most categories. However, one stat they have not done well in is walks as they nearly walk four batters per nine innings, bad enough for third worst in the league.

The Brewers bullpen

Before the trade deadline, the Brewers traded for two relievers (Jeremy Jeffress and Anthony Swarzak). Jeffress was traded just before the 2016 trade deadline to the Texas Rangers from the Brewers along with former Brewer and the newest addition to the Rockies, Jonathan Lucroy. However, they are both in set-up roles for one of the most under-rated closers in baseball: Corey Knebel. He was an All-Star this season and in his first season of closing, he has been lights out. He has a 1.41 ERA in 57 1/3 innings. Batters have hit .169 against him this season. In his past eleven games, he has pitched 12 innings and only allowed six hits, no runs, walked five, and struck out 19. In that span, batters are hitting .146 against him.

Josh Hader is another name of note as the rookie left-handed reliever has an ERA of 0.71 in 18 games and 25 1/3 innings pitched. He has allowed two runs all year and batters are hitting .133 against him.

The Brewers offense

In 2017, the Brewers have had a lot of home run power. They have four players with 19 or more home runs (Eric Thames with 27, Travis Shaw with 26, and Keon Broxton and Domingo Santana with 19 a piece). They are second in the National League in home runs with 177. However, they are in the bottom half of the NL in nearly every other category.

The only other offensive category that they aren’t in the bottom half of the league is stolen bases. They have five players (Jonathan Villar, Broxton, Orlando Arcia, Hernan Perez, and Santana) who have double-digit stolen base numbers. Villar led the NL in steals in 2016 with 62. The team leads the NL in stolen bases with 101.

Next: Reliving Nolan Arenado's tarp catch

Final Thoughts

While the two teams are much different now then they were in early April, both teams are shocking the baseball world as they both stay relevant in the playoff hunt. This weekend could even be a potential wild-card game preview. It is not a series that you’ll want to miss!

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Probable Starting Pitchers

The Brewers bullpen

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The Brewers offense

Final Thoughts