Are the Colorado Rockies already losing the war of attrition this year? On Saturday, Jorge De La Rosa joined Ubaldo Jimenez with a finger injury, though the former is unlikely to miss a start. But before the Rockies decide on Jimenez's status against the Pittsburgh Pirates later in the week, there is still one game left to be played with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
After splitting the first two games of the series with the D'Backs, the Rockies will have Jhoulys Chacin on the mound to gain the series victory. The 23-year-old spent 2010 with the Rockies as a start for most of the season, receiving a call-up in late April after De La Rosa and Jason Hammel went down with injuries. When those two came back, Chacin spent the month of July as a reliever, allowing nearly a hit per inning and four home runs. After a short stint back in the minors to start August, Chacin was back up during the middle of the month and went on to have a strong September (1.78 ERA [helped by nine unearned runs], 29 K in 35 1/3 IP).
Joe Saunders draws the start for the Diamondbacks. The club acquired him around the 2010 trade deadline from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the Dan Haren trade. Saunders has always been quite hittable in his career, being average in his line drive, ground ball and fly ball percentages. He did lose 17 games last season, but losing is a team effort, mind you.
Troy Renck has the lineup for today (photo here). Dexter Fowler is still at the top, but Jonathan Herrera starts his first game of the season, playing second base and hitting in the two-hole. Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki stay put in the next two spots, while Jose Lopez starts at third base and bats fifth. Ty Wigginton follows as he spells Todd Helton for the day. Ryan Spilborghs replaces Seth Smith in the lineup since Saunders is a lefty, and Jose Morales starts for Iannetta with day game after a night one.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. MT.