Giants at Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are in danger of falling out of a wild card spot in the National League, but at least they have a chance to pick on one of the circuit's worst squads. The Rockies will try to snap an ill-timed four-game losing streak when they begin a three-game series with the visiting San Francisco Giants on Monday.
After dropping two of three to Detroit to begin the nine-game stay at Coors Field, Colorado lost three straight against fellow wild-card hopeful Arizona - capped by Sunday's 5-1 setback. The Rockies' 4-10 slide has left the club with a one-half game lead over Milwaukee for the second wild card, with St. Louis sitting three games back. However, Colorado has taken 10 of 14 meetings with the Giants this season, including all seven encounters in Coors Field. San Francisco has lost five of its last six after dropping a 7-3 decision against St. Louis on Sunday.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Matt Moore (4-13, 5.42 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (0-2, 4.88)
Moore has been unable to pick up career win No. 50 for two straight turns, allowing five runs in five innings of a loss at San Diego on Tuesday. The veteran has been pounded by the Rockies for 19 runs and 30 hits in 12 2/3 innings this year and has suffered at hitter-friendly Coors Field as much as anyone in his career, giving up 24 runs and 32 hits in 14 2/3 frames over four starts. Nolan Arenado (9-for-17, six extra-base hits against Moore) has led the charge against the 28-year-old, with D.J. LeMahieu (8-for-14) and Charlie Blackmon (5-for-13) chipping in.
Bettis was superb in his first two starts since returning from testicular cancer but has been a bit more pedestrian in his last two. He gave up five runs in five innings while serving up two home runs in each of those outings, first at Atlanta on Aug. 25 and then at home against Detroit on Wednesday. Bettis spun his lone career shutout against San Francisco nearly a year ago and has a 4.43 ERA in 10 career outings (six stars) versus the divisional foes.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants C Buster Posey is 8-for-17 over his last five games.
2. Blackmon went 2-for-3 on Sunday while making his second career start batting in the third spot in the lineup.
3. Rockies OF Gerardo Parra had two hits Sunday and is hitting .372 at home.