Not much has changed for the Colorado Rockies after their three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers to start this week. They're still 4.5 games behind the San Francisco Giants, whom they play this weekend. While the Rockies' offense did just enough to pick up the win on Wednesday, that victory was due more to Ubaldo Jimenez. He found a 96 mph fastball in that start and pitched a complete game shutout, allowing seven hits, striking out seven and walking zero. Unfortunately, the Rockies won't see if Jimenez can replicate those results (even to a lesser degree in this series.
Instead, Colorado will turn to rookie starter Juan Nicasio. The last time we saw Nicasio on the mound he picked up his first major league victory in his first major league start. The Rockies offense went hit-happy against the St. Louis and scored 15 runs last Saturday. Nicasio allowed just one run (unearned at that) in seven innings and scattered six hits. He is pitching to keep a spot in the rotation as Aaron Cook is only a few days away from coming off the 60-day disabled list. His competition, Clayton Mortensen, was tagged for five runs in his last start. Greg Reynolds is also a candidate to be sent back to the minors when Cook is ready.
Meanwhile, the Giants regained the NL West lead by half of one game on Thursday when they took their third win in a four-game series with the Cardinals and the Diamondbacks lost to the Washington Nationals. They will have Matt Cain on the mound. He's lost his last two starts, allowing four runs and five runs, respectively. In his two starts against the Rockies, Cain was touched up for six runs over 4.2 innings in Coors Field. But back in the Bay Area, Cain went seven innings and allowed three runs for the no-decision (the Giants won, 4-3).
Expected Starters
Friday, June 3
Juan Nicasio vs. Matt Cain, 8:10 p.m. MT, ROOT
Saturday, June 4
Jhoulys Chacin vs. Madison Bumgarner, 2:10 p.m. MT, KDVR-31
Sunday, June 5
Jason Hammel vs. Ryan Vogelsong, 2:05 p.m. MT, ROOT
For more on the Rockies, head on over to Purple Row. To learn about the Giants, visit McCovey Chronicles and SB Nation Bay Area.