Pittsburghs Pirates Face Uphill Struggle In Colorado's Mile High Stadium

This evening, the Pittsburgh Pirates begin a late summer rematch with the Colorado Rockies, following an original series last spring. The circumstances of the two matches could not be more different.

Last spring, the Pirates were coming out of the cellar in the National League Central. Now they are stuck there, and hoping not to get deeper.

Then, the Rockies were fellow cellar-dwellers in the National League West. Now they are second in their division, as well as the wild card leader, a status that the Pirates probably won't achieve for years to come.

The Pirates played the spring series at home, and capitalized on that to take the series 2-1. Now, they play a tough series on the road, and may do well to win one of three. They lost three of three at Coors in June.

There was no shortage of runs scored in Pittsburgh. Hitting should also be crucial in Coors Field, which is a hitters' park. But the Pirates no longer have Nate McLouth. And his replacement, Andrew McCutchen, is on the disabled list.

On the whole, the Pirates are now below average in hitting, rather than above average, which they were in the spring. Meanwhile, Troy Tulowitzki wields a hot bat for the Rockies.

Both teams will be fielding new pitchers in the series. Tonight, the Rockies Jhoulys Chacin, a strong reliever, is taking place of an injured starter. Tomorrow, Kevin Hart, acquired from Chicago for Tom Gorzelanny, will start for the Pirates.

This one will be something of a "grudge match" against former Pirates' skipper, Jim Tracy, who just signed on as the Rockies' manager.