The Colorado Rockies return home after a disappointing 3-4 road trip that saw them lose any hope of playoff contention this season, falling 12.5 games back of the division-leading Arizona Diamondbacks. They begin the homestand against their expansion partners from 1993, the Florida Marlins.
Florida enters this series with the same number of wins as Colorado (56) but are in last place in the NL East, 22.5 games behind the blistering Philadelphia Phillies. Like Colorado, several of Florida's young stars have also disappointed this season. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez is having a miserable year, hitting .243 with only 10 homeruns on the year. Young ace Josh Johnson has only started nine games this season due to injury, a concerning trend for the 27 year old pitcher who has already recovered from Tommy John surgery.
The Marlins will send out 31 year old RHP Clay Hensley to the mound for the series opener. Hensley has switched between reliever and starter this season, but has only pitched 40 innings. He has a 1-2 record with a 5.04 ERA as a starting pitcher.
Colorado will counter with journeyman Kevin Millwood, who will be making his second start in a Colorado uniform. The free agent signed with Colorado last week and pitched well in his debut against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing three runs (all on solo homeruns) in seven solid innings, striking out six.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40pm MDT.
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