Colorado Rockies series preview: Going away may help

The Colorado Rockies will look to bounce back on their three game road trip to Cincinnati. The should come off as the favorable team this time around since their on the road record is a lot better than their home one. 

Pitching 

The Colorado Rockies will start the series off with Kyle Freeland. Freeland is having a decent season, his numbers aren’t All-Star worthy, but he can get the job done. He has put up several quality starts this season and go deep into innings. Freeland currently has a 3.53 ERA meaning he’s given up 25 runs. On Wednesday, we’ll see Jon Gray take the mound. His last starts makes many weary of him being on the mound. While in San Francisco, he only pitched in 3.2 innings and gave up 5 earned runs while taking the loss that day.

On the bright side in his last start against the Reds, he went 6 innings with 8 strikeouts but he did, however, give up 4 runs despite coming away with the win. Eyes will be watching to see which Jon Gray the Rockies will get on the mound in game two. Closing out the series will be Tyler Anderson. His last start, like Gray, was short lived due to him only pitching in 5.1 innings. Over his last three starts he’s given up 13 earned runs, which can be concerning with his 5.07 ERA. Hopefully he can keep down the runs in this outing. 

Anthony DeSclafani will make his debut return from the DL in game one for the Reds. He was on the 60-Day DL with a left oblique strain and is ready just in time to play against the Colorado Rockies. Sal Romano is slated for the second game.

Looking at his last start, when he pitched against the Rockies, it should cause them to be hopeful. Romano took the loss while giving up 5 runs in 5.1 innings along with walking 4 batters. Tyler Mahle will close it out on Thursday. Mahle’s start against the Rockies last time was like his fellow pitching staff. He only went 5 innings allowing 4 earned runs, which lead to a no decision. The Reds pitchers are riddled with high ERA’s and show no signs of production. 

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Batting 

The hype is still strong with return of DJ LeMaheiu coming off the DL. In his last game against the Dodgers, he put a 4-for-5 night along with 2 RBI. This is the production we’re used to seeing no matter if the Colorado Rockies win or lose. Of course, we can always expect the same amount of production from guys like Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado, and Trevor Story. The Rockies will look to still get good at-bats from guys like Carlos Gonzalez and Ian Desmond. 

The Reds have really clutch batters in Joey Votto, Tucker Barnhart and Scooter Gennett. The one man to watch out for on the base path would be Billy Hamilton as it will be a challenge to get him out no matter who’s behind the dish. Their entire lineup however can produce runs so it will be entirely up to the pitcher on how they will hold off the Reds from scoring runs. 

Next: The Colorado Rockies do not have a super bullpen

Overall the Colorado Rockies should be able to take these games. The Reds have one of the worse records in baseball right now and haven’t been playing to well. But this shouldn’t make the Rockies believe that they can win this series. If the pitching rotation can’t hold down the fort, then there will be a chance that the Reds can capitalize. If the bullpen isn’t on top of their stuff, then it’s only a matter of time before the Rockies lose a lead or a potential of gaining one. These are crucial games being played as the standing in the NL West are fairly close.