Dodgers at Rockies
THE STORY: The Colorado Rockies look to win back-to-back games for the first time since May 17, when they begin a seven-game homestand on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After going a major league-worst 8-21 in May, the Rockies improved to 4-3 in June after beating San Diego on Wednesday. The Dodgers are 3-3 on their three-city road trip that ends in Denver.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket, Root Sports
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (6-3, 3.05 ERA) at Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (1-1, 2.08 ERA)
Kershaw allowed six runs on six hits while walking two and striking out nine over 6 2/3 innings last Saturday against the Reds. The Dodgers are 16-5 in Kershaw’s last 21 starts against National League West teams.
Nicasio gave up three runs, nine hits and one walk while striking out three over six innings against the Giants last Friday. He is making his third major league start on Wednesday.
ABOUT THE DODGERS (29-34): On Tuesday, rookie shortstop Dee Gordon became the second Dodgers player since 1919 to get three hits and a stolen base in their first major league start. Jose Offerman also accomplished the feat in August 1990). With Rafael Furcal (oblique) expected to be out for another month, Gordon will likely be the Dodgers’ everyday shortstop for the next few weeks. Don’t look now, but James Loney’s playing time could finally be reduced. Loney hasn’t started two of the last three games as manager Don Mattingly looks to improve the team’s production against left-handed pitching. On Wednesday, Mattingly started Casey Blake at first, Juan Uribe at third and Jamey Carroll at second. Mattingly could also play Jerry Sands at first in place of Loney, who is batting .176 against lefties with two RBIs. Of course, Sands is also struggling of late, going 3-for-35 since his grand slam on May 24.
ABOUT THE ROCKIES (29-32): With Aaron Cook’s return to the rotation, many wondered if Nicasio would be demoted to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Instead, Nicasio was awarded a spot in the Rockies’ rotation and Clayton Mortensen was moved to the bullpen. Mortensen will serve as a long reliever after posting a 3.20 ERA in nine appearances – six starts – this season. In a related move, the Rockies optioned reliever Greg Reynolds to Colorado Springs, where he’ll work as a starter. After the Florida Marlins fired hitting coach John Mallee on Wednesday, some wondered if Rockies’ hitting coach Carney Lansford could be next. Colorado entered Wednesday’s action 11th in the National League with a team batting average of .243, and players such as Dexter Fowler, Ian Stewart and Carlos Gonzalez appear to have regressed from last year. No move involving Lansford appears imminent, however.
FINAL PITCH: The Rockies are 3-13 in their last 16 when their opponent scores two runs or less in their previous game. Los Angeles lost 2-0 to Philadelphia on Wednesday.