Another Chance
After failing to take advantage of two home series against last-place teams, the Colorado Rockies didn’t fare any better against a division leader.
Another chance at the reeling Washington Nationals may help get them back on track.
The Rockies look to rebound from a disappointing homestand by avenging a series loss against the Nationals as the clubs open a three-game set Friday night at Nationals Park.
Oddsmakers from SBG Global have made Colorado -119 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for tonight’s game, the over/under has been set at 9 total runs (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 57% of bets for this game have been placed on Colorado -119 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
Colorado (54-69) opened the second half strong with intentions of pulling back into contention in the weak NL West. After winning nine of their first 10 games after the All-Star break, however, the Rockies have gone 6-11, including 3-7 in their last 10 – all at Coors Field.
Colorado opened that homestand by losing three of four against Washington, which has the worst record in the majors. After dropping two of three against NL West-worst San Diego, Colorado finished the homestand by losing two of three against first-place Arizona.
"It was a disappointing week, (then) it turned into a disappointing 10 days," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said after a 6-2 loss to the Diamondbacks on Thursday. "We needed to play better and we didn’t. We have to find a way to get productive."
The Rockies have fallen nine games behind the division lead.
"A difficult chore in front of us," Hurdle told the Rockies’ official Web site. "We’ve got work to do, that’s where we are."
The Nationals (44-78) could say the same thing after losing 9-3 to the New York Mets on Thursday night to get swept for the fifth time in eight series since the All-Star break. Washington has been outscored 48-11 during a seven-game losing streak, and is batting .190 with 66 strikeouts during the skid – its third of at least seven games.
The Nationals didn’t get much help at the plate from Aaron Boone in his return to the lineup Thursday. The veteran infielder went 0-for-4 with a strikeout after missing 30 games with a strained left calf.
"Unfortunately, it took a little longer (than expected), but that’s in the past now," said Boone, batting .251 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 72 games. "It’s just good to be here and hopefully be able to contribute here."
The Nationals hope to snap their skid Friday by handing the ball to Tim Redding (8-7, 4.61 ERA). The Nationals won nine straight games started by the right-hander from May 14-June 25, but have lost six of his last eight outings. Redding, who’s 2-4 with a 5.86 ERA in that stretch, gave up five runs in five innings of a 6-0 loss to Milwaukee on Saturday.
He’s 1-1 with a 3.91 ERA in five career games – four starts – against the Rockies.
Colorado will counter with Jorge De La Rosa (5-6, 6.28), who’s making his first start since Aug. 5. The left-hander came out of the bullpen twice since then, giving up one hit and walking four in 3 1-3 scoreless innings. He pitched an inning of relief against Arizona on Tuesday, but Hurdle said he doesn’t expect that to affect De La Rosa on Friday.
De La Rosa is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in two career starts against the Nationals.
Did you like this article? Subscribe to our Baseball news feed for the fastest updates delivered right to you – Click here to Subscribe