Series Preview: Rays at Rockies

The Rays open a three-game road series with the Colorado Rockies. I'll take an inside look on the pitching matchups, news, notes and everything you need to know about this series.

The two hottest teams in the MLB will put their streaks on the line. The Rockies come in with an 11-game winning streak while the Rays boast a five-game streak.

Jason Bartlett makes his return from the DL after an ankle injury. This will help the Rays lineup and defense immensely. With him in the lineup it adds further protection to the middle of the order, and will give the Rays their first full-strength lineup in nearly three weeks.

The Rockies pitching has been much improved over this winning streak, allowing two runs or less in nine of 11 games giving them an overall 2.55 ERA.

The team has really gelled together under new manager Jim Tracy, and are playing well in Coors. Not to mention Tampa Bay is 1-8 all time in Colorado. 

Game One

Niemann (5-4 4.12 ERA) vs. De La Rosa (2-6 5.08 ERA)

This features two young starters who are pitching their best ball of the season right now. Niemann is 3-1 with a 2.86 ERA in his last six starts, including a complete game shutout two games ago. Despite De La Rosa's poor numbers and 6.67 ERA at home, his last two starts have been the best of the season allowing a combined five earned runs. 

Game Two

Price (1-0 2.37 ERA) vs. Cook (5-3 4.26 ERA)

David Price hasn't returned to his '08 postseason-run form. He has walked 18 batters in four starts and only pitched more than five innings twice. Despite this, he has only allowed five earned runs. If he can control the ball, he is a Cy Young winner in the making. Cook has had an outstanding season, especially of late, allowing only six earned runs over his last three starts. This will be the best pitching match up of the series.

Game Three

Garza (4-4 3.63 ERA) vs. Jimenez (5-6 3.92 ERA)

Matt Garza has not pitched well the last four games, but he has struggled to give the Rays a quality start everytime. If he can get ahead of batters early in the game he should be back to his '08 form. He pitches a little worse on the road (3.82 ERA), but has not gotten much run support in any of his starts. He hasn't won a game since May 16 against Cleveland. Jimenez has a 2.74 ERA in the month of June and shows no signs of slowing down. He did give up four runs to the worst hitting team in the majors. His ERA is 4.27 at home, much worse than on the road. 

With the Rays bullpen much improved, no runs given up in the last 26.1 innings, and JP Howell solidifying the closer spot the Rays look to continue their hot streak, however, the Rockies will not be an easy task considering their much improved pitching as well.