Colorado Rockies series preview: three more games with the Padres

The Colorado Rockies will start a three game series to start the new week at 6:40 PM MT against the San Diego Padres. The Rockies already faced the Padres in four games in San Diego last week so the Rockies have some experiences against them this season.

Tonight, at 6:40 PM MT, the Rockies will take on the Padres in the first of a three game series. They faced them this past week in a four game series in San Diego and the Rockies won three of four in the series. So, here’s the probable pitchers and some scouting reports.

Tonight, Jon Gray will face Clayton Richard. The club’s aces squared off last Wednesday and the Rockies won by a score of 5-2. Jon Gray, after a rocky start (no pun intended) on Opening Day against the Diamondbacks, in which he wasn’t even able to record an out in the fifth inning while allowing six hits, three runs (all earned), and three walks, pitched much better against the Padres. He went seven scoreless innings while scattering four hits (three of which were singles), walking nobody, and striking out seven.

For Clayton Richard, the Rockies roughed him up early as he allowed three runs in the first inning. He was only able to go five innings, allowing eight hits, five runs (all earned), and three walks while striking out six. All of the damage came from 1 through 6 in the Rockies lineup as, combined, they went 9-for-23 (.391 BA) against the Padres pitching staff.

Richard doesn’t have stuff that will blow you away as he averages about 91 miles per hour on the radar gun with his fastball. He pitches to contact, as he averages less than seven strikeouts per nine innings in the past three seasons. As a result, he gives up a lot of hits. In fact, he led the NL in hits allowed last season so the Rockies have to compile the hits and knock them in. They were 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position in that game and they will need to continue that tonight.