The Colorado Rockies start a crucial nine-game road trip with a three-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers to start the week. The road could be a good relief for the Rockies, since they are 13-15 at Coors Field this season. But after a great start on the road, the Rockies are 12-12 when visiting.
There was some hope found for the Rockies in their 15-4 pounding of the St. Louis Cardinals, but that was followed up with a 4-3 loss on Sunday. The Rockies went 1-6 on their recent homestand.
The Rockies haven't seen the Los Angeles Dodgers since they swept a two-game series from them at the start of April. Since then, the Dodgers have gone into financial troubles, Major League Baseball is involved and the team is 24-30, fourth in the NL West. They have yet to build a win streak longer than three games, but they just took two of three from the Florida Marlins.
The Dodgers will have Chad Billingsley on the mound to start the series. He has a 3.69 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 68.1 innings. In May, Billingsley has gone at least six innings in his five starts so far and went seven and eight innings twice each. But on his April 6 start against the Rockies, it was a dreary, cold, rainy day and he allowed five runs in three innings. He is 2-5 in 12 career games (10 starts) against the Rockies and holds a 5.40 ERA.
Jason Hammel will pitch for the Rockies. He maintains a 3.20 ERA through 10 starts, though the Rockies have lost his last five starts (and he's picked up three of the losses). He pitched seven strong innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but was the hard luck loser because of bad defense and lack of offense. An Alfredo Amezaga flubbed throw eventually led to two unearned runs. A Todd Helton sac fly scored the only Rockies run.
Expected pitching matchups
Monday, May 30, 6:10 p.m. MT, ROOT
Jason Hammel vs. Chad Billingsley
Tuesday, May 31, 8:10 p.m. MT, ROOT
Clayton Mortensen vs. Ted Lilly
Wednesday, June 1, 8:10 p.m. MT, ROOT
Ubaldo Jimenez vs. Jon Garland
For more on the Rockies, Purple Row is your destination. For the Dodgers, visit True Blue LA and SB Nation Los Angeles.