The San Diego Padres are an unstoppable juggernaut, having won nine of their last 10 games. Initially resting in the NL West cellar for the first half of the season (along with Colorado), the Padres are now threatening to pass the Arizona Diamondbacks for third in the division.They have been one of the very best teams in the National League over the last 30 games, and all due to their offense.

Rookie catcher Yasmani Grandal has made a statement debut, veteran Chase Headley continues to be one of the most underrated players in all of baseball, and offseason acquisition Carlos Quentin has been the big bat they coveted.

The Padres send Clayton Richard (11-12, 3.72) to the mound. Richard has allowed three or fewer runs in five of his last seven starts. At Coors Field, however, Richard has not had much success during his career. In this last three starts in Colorado (dating back to 2010), Richard has allowed 22 earned runs in just 14 innings.

Colorado has been playing excellent baseball lately as well, going 7-3 in their last 10 games. For Colorado, the solution has been pitching. In those 10 games, the Rockies have allowed more than four runs just three times and have held their opponent to three or fewer runs in six occasions.

The Rockies will start Alex White (2-6, 5.49) in the series opener. White has been effective, giving up only 9 earned runs in his past five starts. He has also been incredibly inefficient over that span, finishing only four innings in each of those starts as well.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. MT. The game will be available on ROOT and 850 KOA.

For more coverage, visit our Rockies blog Purple Row and our Padres blog Gaslamp Ball. For more coverage across baseball, visit MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.