The Colorado Rockies will look to put their 2-4 record last week behind them when they play the Chicago Cubs for three games in the Windy City. And why wouldn't they? Though they ultimately got out of them, the Rockies faced the Giants' Tim Lincecum (6-plus innings) and Marlins' Anibal Sanchez (8 innings) and Josh Johnson (5 innings) deep into those games with no hits put on the board.
At 14-7, the Rockies still lead the NL West and already have two wins over the Cubs this season. Jhoulys Chacin, Wednesday's starter, threw the best game of any starter so far with a complete game shutout, striking out seven along the way. He pitched against the Cubs' Matt Garza, who starts Monday's game. Garza was roughed up for five runs, four on a Chris Iannetta triple/throwing error.
The Rockies are still waiting for Carlos Gonzalez to break out. He is hitting just .228/.284/.304 with one home run. Production at third base is also non-existent. Ian Stewart is in the minors and neither Ty Wigginton (.587 OPS) nor Jose Lopez (.475 OPS) has taken advantage of that opening.
Troy Tulowitzki continues to be the offensive weapon of choice (1.135 OPS), followed closely by Seth Smith (.922). Second baseman Jonathan Herrera continues his hot start with a .327 batting average and .918 OPS.
The forecast for Monday's game is rain at game time, so it may not be played.
The expected pitching matchups as follows:
Monday, April 25, 6:05 p.m. MT, ROOT
Esmil Rogers vs. Matt Garza
Tuesday, April 26, 6:05 p.n. MT, ROOT
Jorge De La Rosa vs. James Russell
Wednesday, April 27, 12:20 p.m. MT, ROOT
Jhoulys Chacin vs. Casey Coleman