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Colorado Rockies: Everything you need to know about Sunday’s game

By Kevin Henry

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Colorado Rockies fans hold a sign referring to "Rocktober", or a Rockies playoff run, during a game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 16, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Colorado Rockies fans hold a sign referring to "Rocktober", or a Rockies playoff run, during a game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 16, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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One game. That is what it boils down to this season for the Colorado Rockies as their postseason destination and opponent hangs in the balance.

After 161 games that have produced a 90-71 record and a guaranteed spot in the postseason, the Colorado Rockies will take the field on Sunday afternoon (with a scheduled start time of 1:10 p.m., Mountain time) focused on beating the Washington Nationals.

Here are your scenarios…

With a win, the Rockies would guarantee no worse than a tie at the top of the National League West standings. That tie would equate to a one-game match with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine for the division title.

Of course, if the Rockies win, the Dodgers will have to take care of their own business and win against San Francisco at AT&T Park for that to happen as well.

If Los Angeles loses and Colorado wins, the Rockies get their first-ever NL West crown and the Dodgers are the NL’s second Wild Card.

If Colorado loses and the Dodgers win, Los Angeles grabs its sixth straight NL West title and Colorado is once again the NL’s second Wild Card.

If both teams lose, it’s Game 163 in Los Angeles to determine which team wins the NL West and which team is the Wild Card.

By the way, Monday’s potential Game 163 is tentatively slated for 2:09 p.m. (Mountain time). The National League Wild Card game is scheduled for Tuesday. The National League Division Series begins on Thursday.

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In a bit of a surprise move, the Nationals will start Erick Fedde (2-3, 5.24 ERA) on Sunday rather than Max Scherzer. Scherzer had said he wants to be on the mound if something is on the line for the Rockies but he has been ruled out of Sunday’s start.

Colorado is countering with Tyler Anderson, who was scratched from his last start on Monday because of a sore shoulder. Rockies manager Bud Black told Rox Pile and other media members on Saturday night that Anderson would get the start and part of the reasoning behind that was setting up the postseason pitching schedule.

This also gives German Marquez and Kyle Freeland additional rest.

Those are the scenarios. That is what is at stake on what will be a tense Sunday at 20thand Blake. Rockies fans will have one eye on the action on the field and another on the scoreboard in right field, seeing what is unfolding in San Francisco.

Numbers to know: Colorado is 11-14 on Sunday this season and 25-26 in series finales. The Rockies are also 25-26 in day games. Colorado is now 4-2 this season against the Nationals.

Radio and TV information: If you’re not going to be at Coors Field, you can watch the game on AT&T SportsNet and listen to it locally on KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM (since the Denver Broncos play on Monday night).

Next. The 5 best games of the 2018 Rockies season (so far). dark

Rocktober is great and amazing … but it’s obvious that Black and his players want that first-ever division title. What kind of managing will he use knowing the Rockies could have games on Monday (for the division) and Tuesday (in a Wild Card match-up) if a worst-case scenario were to play out?

That’s one of the many things we’ll be watching from Coors Field on the last day of September. We’ll see you in LoDo for what will be a monumental Sunday.

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