After getting shut out twice on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Colorado Rockies fled across the desert back to the somewhat friendlier confines of Coors Field. Still on the hunt for the ever-elusive “series win” or “double-digit wins” or even just “wins,” the Rockies will host the 28-18 Philadelphia Phillies for a four game series.
On the bump for the Rockies is the left-handed Kyle Freeland, who is now 0-6 through nine starts. Freeland gave up three earned runs his last time out against the Texas Rangers. All three of those runs came in the first inning, after which he locked things down and pitched five more scoreless frames with five strikeouts.
The Colorado native has given up five or more earned runs in four of his nine starts in what has been a difficult start to the season.
The Fightin’ Phils will be sending left-handed pitcher Cristopher Sánchez to the mound to start the series. Sánchez has a 2.91 ERA through eight starts so far this season, and 52 strikeouts over 43 1⁄3 innings of work.
The Rockies have not historically fared well against Sánchez. In four starts and 21 innings against the Rockies, Sánchez has an ERA of just 2.57 and has struck out 24 batters to six walks. He has also given up only one home run to Rockies hitters.
Sánchez has not only a strong strikeout and whiff rate, but a strong ground ball rate of 55.5% so far this season. His primary pitch is a sinker that averages 95.6 MPH. He pairs his singer with a strong duo of breaking pitches: a changeup and a slider. His changeup currently carries a whiff rate of 50.8% this season.
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. MT
TV: Rockies.tv
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM, KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
Lineups:
