Rockies vs. Dodgers: Colorado in spoiler mode for final road trip of 2012

Fresh off a sweep of the Chicago Cubs in their last home series of 2012, the Colorado Rockies now begin their final road trip of the 2012 regular season with a three game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jeff Francis (5-6, 5.54) takes the mound for Colorado after two solid starts in a row, including four shutout innings against Arizona in his last outing. Francis faced Los Angeles a month ago, dominating the Dodgers with five shutout innings and striking out six batters. With a victory in Friday's game, Colorado can ensure they will not lost 100 games for the first time in franchise history.

Los Angeles will welcome back ace lefthander Clayton Kershaw (12-9, 2.68) from a hip injury that was expected to keep him out the remainder of the regular season. With the Dodgers sitting three games back of the second NL Wild Card spot, Los Angeles needs Kershaw to be dominant in his return from injury in order to have even a chance at the postseason.

First pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. MT. Broadcast available on ROOT and 850 KOA