The Colorado Rockies (1-0, 1-0 RL, 1-0 O/U) will collide with the San Diego Padres (1-0, 0-1 RL, 1-0 O/U) in a divisional showdown in the third of a four-game divisional series on Saturday afternoon. The Rockies will have Jose Urena on the hill. The Padres will reply with Michael Wacha. Colorado posted a 10-9 record against San Diego last season and a 7-2 win in Thursday's season opener.
The Colorado Rockies enter another season of mediocrity. This is a squad that can be competitive propelled by their potent offense that is constructed for a hitter-friendly Coors Field but the pitching remains a weakness. They had a quiet offseason and did not add any big-name pitchers after ranking near the bottom in many pitching categories last season.
Jose Urena will be on the mound on Saturday. Urena is in his second year as a member of the Rockies. The veteran had trouble last season, posting a 5.01 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP to go with a 3-8 record in 21 starts spanning 97 innings of work. The right-hander was solid in his two meetings against the Padres last year, limiting them to four runs in 10 innings. He has contained the rivals throughout his career, amassing a 3.72 ERA in 38.2 innings but has a 1-4 record. Urena enjoyed a few strong years with the Marlins but has not been a reliable starter in his career.
First run of 2023 ?? pic.twitter.com/HVDTP4Ph04
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 31, 2023
The Rockies have several dangerous bats. Charlie Blackmon remains one of the elite leadoff hitters in the game. The veteran had a big down year for his standards, posting 78 RBIs and an .733 OPS. Blackmon was productive against the Padres, delivering 11 RBIs and an .886 OPS. Colorado also has a strong cleanup hitter in CJ Cron who had a career year in 2022, bashing 30 homers and eclipsed 100 RBIs for the first time in his career. Cron had five RBIs in Thursday's victory.
The Rockies scored an average of 4.31 runs per game in 2022, ranking them 16th. The pitching was also exploited, amassing a poor 5.07 team ERA, pegging them last.
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