The San Diego Padres are set to face off against the Colorado Rockies in a three-game series starting on Friday at 5:40 p.m. (Padres.TV). The series continues on Saturday at 5:10 p.m. (Padres.TV, CBS) and concludes on Sunday at 12:10 p.m. (Padres.TV).
Currently, the Padres hold a record of 23-13, placing them second in the NL West division. They kicked off their road trip with four consecutive wins but have encountered challenges in their last two games against the New York Yankees, where their bullpen gave up leads. Despite these setbacks, they remain just a game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Detroit Tigers in pursuit of the best record in Major League Baseball. The Padres have previously dominated the Rockies, sweeping them in a three-game series last month at Petco Park.
On the other hand, the Colorado Rockies are struggling significantly this season, sitting at 6-31 and last in the NL West with a dismal .162 winning percentage. They are on a six-game losing streak and on pace to potentially set a record for the most losses in a season. Their run differential stands at minus-109, and their team statistics highlight their difficulties, including a low .623 OPS and a team ERA of 5.47.
The pitching matchups for the series are as follows:
**Friday:**
– Padres RHP Randy Vásquez (1-3, 3.90 ERA) has had mixed success against the Rockies, with a particularly challenging outing at Coors Field last year.
– Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (1-5, 5.50 ERA) has struggled with hits allowed this season but has historically performed reasonably well against the Padres.
**Saturday:**
– Padres RHP Stephen Kolek (1-0, 0.00 ERA) seeks to continue his strong beginnings from his debut start.
– Rockies RHP Bradley Blalock (0-1, 8.03 ERA) has faced difficulties at the start of his career and will look to stabilize his performance.
**Sunday:**
– Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (5-1, 2.01 ERA) will look to improve his past record at Coors Field, but he has shown promise this season.
– Rockies RHP German Marquez (0-6, 9.90 ERA) has struggled significantly, allowing the most earned runs in the majors so far this season.
Key players for the Padres include outfielders Fernando Tatis Jr. and Gavin Sheets, both contributing significantly to the team’s offensive efforts. The Rockies are led by Jordan Beck, showcasing some individual talent during a difficult season.
In terms of injuries, the Padres are hopeful for the return of infielder Jake Cronenworth from the injured list and have seen RHP Yu Darvish progressing toward a return. Meanwhile, the Rockies continue to deal with multiple injuries without set timetables for several players, impacting their lineup.
This series presents a pivotal opportunity for the Padres to build momentum and capitalize on the Rockies’ struggles, fostering hope for fans eager for postseason success. The Padres aim to bounce back and maintain their position in the competitive NL West, while the Rockies will seek to turn their season around amidst ongoing challenges.