Colorado Rockies: series preview against the Padres

The Colorado Rockies have lost three straight games and they were swept by the San Francisco Giants in a two-game series this week. The Rockies look to recover in a four-game series with the San Diego Padres as they hope to hang on to their one-game lead on the second National League Wild Card spot over the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Rockies go from a two-game series in San Francisco down to San Diego to face the Padres for four-games starting tonight. Here are some things to look for in the series.

Probable Starting Pitchers

On the Rockies side, in order, their starters will be Tyler Anderson, Jon Gray, Chad Bettis, and German Marquez.

Anderson is 5-5 with a 5.28 ERA in 15 games (13 starts). However, in his two appearances (one start, one long relief appearance) since returning from the disabled list on September 11, he has been superb.

In 10 innings, he has only given up three hits and no runs while only walking two and striking out seven. In the two games, batters have a slash-line of .097/.147/.097.

The one start was against the Padres and he went six innings only allowing two hits and two walks en route to a blowout win for the Rockies, 16-0, last Saturday.

Anderson will face Clayton Richard. He is 7-14 with a 4.85 ERA. In his past starts, he is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA but batters are hitting .295 off him in that span. He also faced the Rockies in their series at home last weekend and he went six innings allowing seven hits, four runs, and three walks in the 6-1 Rockies win.

Jon Gray

Jon Gray has been excellent of late. His last start against the Padres last weekend was shortened by a rain delay but in his past 11 starts starting on July 25, he hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any start. In his four September starts, he is 2-1 with a 2.35 ERA and a .217 opponent batting average. When he faced the Padres last weekend, he went five innings (before the delay) only giving up two hits and only one walk while striking out seven.

He will face former Rockie Jordan Lyles. Since being with the Padres, he has made three starts and he has an ERA of 8.78 with a .345 opponent batting average. He hasn’t gone more than five innings in a start and in his start against the Rockies, he only went four innings allowing eight hits and seven runs.