MLB Series Preview: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies

June 16, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) hits a home run in the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Phillies 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies are coming off of a west coast road trip where they would go 3-4. They received a much-needed win Thursday afternoon to even up the four-game series with the San Diego Padres. Lefty Franklin Morales was key in the Rockies 3-1 win over the Padres, throwing six innings, giving up just four hits, one run, one earned, one walk, and striking out five Padres. Now, the Rockies are set to take on the Philadelphia Phillies who come into the series with a record of 7-8 in the National League East.

Probable Starting Pitchers:

April 18th: Jonathan Pettibone (0-0, 1.80 ERA) (Phillies) vs. Tyler Chatwood (0-0, 6.00 ERA) (Rockies)
April 19th: Kyle Kendrick (0-2, 3.50 ERA) (Phillies) vs. Jordan Lyles (2-0, 4.32 ERA) (Rockies)
April 20th: Roberto Hernandez (1-0, 3.86 ERA) (Phillies) vs. Juan Nicasio (2-0, 3.50 ERA) (Rockies)

Tyler Chatwood recently came off of the 15-day disabled list and was activated last weekend for his first start against the San Francisco Giants. Chatwood would throw six innings, giving up six hits, four runs, four earned, one home run, and five strikeouts. In Thursday afternoons game against the San Diego Padres, Rockies right fielder Michael Cuddyer would pull up at first base grabbing his left hamstring. The reports after the game indicated he had hamstring cramps and will be day-to-day.

At 35-years-old, it looks as if Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is back to his 2008-09′ form. In 13 games played this season, Utley is batting (24-for-52) hitting at a line of .462/.517/.769 with seven doubles, three home runs, and ten runs batted in. Meanwhile, Rockies gold glove third baseman Nolan Arenado is entering tonight’s game with an eight-game hitting streak. He went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Thursday’s 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres.

The Colorado Rockies as a team know they can be better than what their record (8-9) says. Here is what Michael Cuddyer said via The Denver Post:

"“In our opinion, we are not clicking yet,” Cuddyer said. “We have had some good pitching performance and good hitting performance, but I don’t feel like we are clicking yet. I think we are going to be good when we put it together.”"

The Colorado Rockies (8-9) will take on the Philadelphia Phillies (7-8) tonight with first-pitch between Jonathan Pettibone and Tyler Chatwood, starting at 8:40 PM ET, 6:40 PM MT.