The Colorado Rockies will have rookie right-handed pitcher Juan Nicasio on the mound Saturday night when they play the St. Louis Cardinals. Nicasio makes his major league debut as a result of Jorge De La Rosa tearing the UCL in his left elbow on Tuesday. Greg Reynolds, who was scheduled to start, pitched in relief of De La Rosa after the injury.
Nicasio was ranked the No. 8 prospect in the system by Baseball America entering this season. He led the Hi-A California League in strikeouts (171) in 2010 and now leads the Double-A Texas League with 63. His 2.22 ERA in the TL is second-best this season. He throws a fastball usually in the mid-90s and offers a curveball, a slider and a changeup. He's exactly the kind of pitcher the Rockies could use right now.
The Cardinals enter this contest having handed the Rockies their fourth straight loss and will put Jaime Garcia on the mound. Garcia has picked up from his strong 2010 season and even improved on it in 2011. His ERA stands at 1.93 through 10 starts. He 5-0 and has thrown two complete game shutouts. He has 57 strikeouts and 13 walks in 65.1 innings. It could be another rough night at the plate for the Rockies.
First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. MT; turn to FOX for coverage this time around.
For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. To learn about the Cardinals head over to Viva El Birdos and SB Nation St. Louis.