Rockies series preview

Today's series preview will be a briefer version than usual, as the author has pending obligations to fulfill as a) husband and b) below-average participant in a pickup basketball game.  Nevertheless, here we go.

After starting the season strong, the Rockies seemed poised to make a splash in an NL West division that appeared to be anybody's game.  As the season has wore on the dynamic has changed, as the Dodgers have started to establish themselves as the class of the division.  As such, the Rockies find themselves in a tough spot.  They're only six games out of the division lead, but with LA's resurgence, making up that ground could prove difficult.  To compound the issue, due the strength of the NL Central they are unlikely to make the playoffs via the wild card.  Unfortunately, a lackluster July performance (10-13) has done them no favors, and a series loss in Atlanta could prove to be the final nail in the coffin of the 2013 Colorado Rockies.

The Rockies are very similar to the Braves offensively, so much so that their team ISO and OBP are nearly identical.  They hit a lot of home runs but don't strike out as much as Atlanta, nor do they walk as often.  The pitching isn't comparable at all, but given the circumstances of pitching in Coors Field half the time, the performance of their patchwork staff has been somewhat admirable, if not impressive. 

Riding high off their sweep of the Cardinals, the Braves must be sure to keep grounded, as this Rockies team is very capable of coming in and taking three of four, though their road record doesn't indicate that as being very likely.  Colorado knows this series is crucial to their hopes of going to the playoffs, so it's safe to assume they'll be leaving it all out on the field.  If the Braves underestimate them, they could be in for a rude awakening. 

Series matchups:

Tonight, 7:10 (local broadcast)

Jorge de la Rosa v. Brandon Beachy

Tuesday, 7:10 (local broadcast)

Juan Nicasio v. Alex Wood

Wednesday, 7:10 (local broadcast)

Tyler Chatwood v. Mike Minor

Thursday, 7:10 (local broadcast)

TBA v. Julio Teheran