Colorado Rockies: 3 things to watch against the Cincinnati Reds

Antonio Senzatela’s Sunday start

All eyes will be on Kyle Freeland as he reportedly will be back for Saturday’s start. However, we’re going to be watching what happens on the mound for the Rockies in Sunday’s matinee series finale.

Antonio Senzatela has yet to find consistency this season since returning to the Rockies rotation on April 15. As an example, he went 4-1 with a 3.44 ERA in six June starts yet was shelled for seven runs in 4.1 innings in Colorado’s series opener in Arizona on July 5.

At home this season, Senzatela’s ERA is nearly a run higher (5.87) than what he is logging away from Coors Field (4.88).

I recently asked Senzatela about his mentality regarding pitching at Coors Field.

“We’re here a lot and it’s hard to pitch here,” the 24-year-old right-hander told me. “We know it’s hard. The ball can fly. But it’s our park. We need to be able to make our pitches here and get out of jams. I have that in my mind, knowing I have to make good pitches when I pitch here.”

The Rockies need for Senzatela to make good pitches (on Sunday and the rest of the season) if the back end of the rotation is going to become a strength rather than a question mark for Colorado.