Marlins at Rockies
The Colorado Rockies attempt to move closer to sewing up a National League playoff spot when they conclude their three-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins on Wednesday. Colorado holds a 1 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee and is 2 1/2 ahead of St. Louis for the second wild card with four contests remaining,
The red-hot Jon Gray is aiming to win his fourth consecutive decision as well as help the Rockies take another step toward their first playoff berth since 2009. Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer in Tuesday's 6-0 victory to raise his NL-leading RBI total to 129. Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton is three behind Arenado in the RBI race but is just 1-for-9 in the series. Miami has won 14 of 19 meetings with Colorado since the start of the 2015 season and will look to play the spoiler role after splitting the first two games of this series.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Florida (Miami), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Adam Conley (7-7, 5.74 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Gray (9-4, 3.62)
Conley is looking to bounce back from a horrific effort against Arizona in which he allowed seven runs and six hits over 1 2/3 innings but was fortunate to escape with a no-decision. The 27-year-old has lasted fewer than five frames in three of his last four turns, posting a 9.56 ERA during that stretch. Conley is 1-0 with a 5.91 ERA in two career starts versus Colorado but has enjoyed success against Jonathan Lucroy (0-for-14).
Gray has recorded a 1.50 ERA over his last four starts as he once again shows signs of becoming the staff's ace. The 25-year-old had his season interrupted by a broken left foot, and a victory on Wednesday would match the career-best total he set last season. Gray has struggled against the Marlins by going 0-2 with a 7.63 ERA in three career starts and has experienced issues with Stanton (4-for-8, two homers), Marcell Ozuna (3-for-4, two walks) and Dee Gordon (3-for-6).
WALK-OFFS
1. Tuesday's victory was the Rockies' first in five games against the Marlins this season.
2. Miami CF Christian Yelich is 1-for-12 with six strikeouts over his last three contests.
3. Colorado RF Carlos Gonzalez went 3-for-4 on Tuesday after going hitless in 10 at-bats over his previous four games.