The Colorado Rockies take their sparkling 12-6 Cactus League record up against the Chicago Cubs in today's spring training matchup. The Rockies are coming off yet another walkoff victory, as 2B candidate Jose Lopez hit a deep walkoff single in the ninth inning to defeat the Cincinnati Reds.
Here is today's starting lineup for Colorado:
CF Willy Taveras
RF Seth Smith
LF Carlos Gonzalez
3B Jose Lopez
1B Todd Helton
C Chris Iannetta
SS Chris Nelson
2B Hernan Iribarren
P Esmil Rogers
Rogers gets another start to solidify his place within the Opening Day rotation, a spot vacated by Aaron Cook's broken finger. He was effective last week in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, striking out four in four innings. With solid efforts from Greg Reynolds and John Maine this past weekend, Rogers needs to show consistency in order to maintain his position as favorite for the fifth rotation spot.
Today, he faces this Cubs lineup:
SS Matt Camp
2B Blake DeWitt
CF Marlon Byrd
3B Alexei Ramirez
1B Carlos Pena
LF Alfonso Soriano
C Geovany Soto
RF James Adduci
P Randy Wells
Colorado Rockies 3B Ian Stewart played yesterday in a "B" game against the Los Angeles Angels, but will get the day off today to rest his bruised knee. He is expected to play on Wednesday.