MLB Preview: Texas Rangers vs. Colorado Rockies
By Andrew Dill
May 2, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) at bat during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field. The Rockies won 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Rockies have been successful of late, winning three out of four against the New York Mets while winning five-consecutive series. Tonight they begin a four-game set with the Texas Rangers; two games at Coors Field followed by two at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Troy Tulowitzki was recently named NL Player of the Month with a spectacular month of April. The power-hitting short stop leads the entire MLB in on-base percentage at .477 and slugging percentage .727. He is batting an MLB best .591 at home; which is unheard of. The all-star shortstop is currently 13 for his last 21, with three doubles, two home runs, eight RBI’s and nine runs.
Probable Pitching Match-ups:
5/5: Rangers: Martin Perez (4-1, 2.95 ERA) vs. Rockies: Jordan Lyles (3-0, 3.70 ERA)
5/6: Rangers: Robbie Ross (1-2, 3.86 ERA) vs. Rockies: Juan Nicasio (3-1, 4.19 ERA)
5/7: Rockies: Jorge De La Rosa (3-3, 5.11 ERA) vs. Rangers: Colby Lewis (2-1, 4.22 ERA)
5/8: Rockies: Franklin Morales (3-1, 5.05 ERA) vs. Matt Harrison (0-0, 4.35 ERA)
Rockies will send right-hander Jordan Lyles to the mound in the first game as he has done nothing but impress in his first season as a Rockie. His team is also helping him out on the offensive side; averaging 6.38 runs per game in his outings. He will look to win a career-best four straight start against a potent Texas Rangers lineup.
Rangers hitters Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre look like they are starting to get the bats going. Fielder would collect three hits with the Rangers the other day while Beltre broke out of a 1-for-17 slump with a trio of hits. Beltre has been a Coors killer, collecting 16 home runs and an average of .399 in 58 career games at 20th & Blake.
Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado puts his 24-game hitting streak on the line in this series. He is three-games short of tying the Rockies all-time record of 27-games which Michael Cuddyer set last season.
Rangers will send lefty Martin Perez to hill in game one of a four-game set, but he would struggle in his last outing. He would give up a season-high eight earned runs in 4 2/3 of an inning after 26 scoreless innings to start the season.