MLB Preview: San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies

Apr 13, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies infielder Troy Tulowitzki (2) throws the ball to first for an out against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies are coming off of a pretty successful series at home against the Philadelphia Phillies. They would almost sweep them Sunday afternoon if it weren’t for a bullpen blow-up. They were leading 6-3 before Boone Logan came in and gave up three runs, two earned on three hits in just 0.1 innings pitched. Matt Belisle would come on in the eighth and have problems of his own, giving up two earned runs on three hits in one full inning. In order for Colorado to be contenders when the season is said and done, their bullpen will have to improve.

Probable Pitching Match-Ups:

April 21st: Ryan Vogelsong (Giants) (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (0-3, 7.58 ERA)
April 22nd: Madison Bumgarner (Giants) (2-1, 3.48 ERA) vs. Franklin Morales (1-1, 4.82 ERA)
Apriil 23rd: Matt Cain (Giants) (0-3, 2.88 ERA) vs. Tyler Chatwood (1-0, 2.77 ERA)

Rockies starting pitcher for Monday night’s game Jorge De La Rosa bounced back after going just 4 1/3 innings in each of his first three starts. He would pitch six innings against the Padres in his last outing, giving up just two earned runs (thanks to the glove of Nolan Arenado). Arenado saved a potential bases clearing double that would have taken the Rockies out of the game. De La Rosa however took the loss as the Rockies fell, 4-2.

Justin Morneau has been a key acquisition this past offseason for the Colorado Rockies. In Colorado’s 10-9 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday afternoon, the first baseman would go 2-for-4 from the plate, clubbing out a two-run home run with five runs batted in. In Colorado’s last five games, Morneau has recorded 12 runs batted in along with three doubles and three home runs.

Here is what skipper Walt Weiss had to say about the pitching of late and missing key starters:

"“The game tends to fall into place when you get starting pitching,” manager Walt Weiss said Sunday. “We had some guys step up. We’re talking about missing three of the top guys in our rotation to start the season. If you did that to any rotation in baseball, it would be a challenge.”"

In the sixth inning of Colorado’s loss to Philadelphia Sunday afternoon, Carlos Gonzalez appeared to be injured on a play where he tried to leg out a hit. After the game, Rockies trainer Keith Dugger diagnosed Gonzalez with left knee tendonitis and is listed as day-to-day. Colorado’s other outfielder Michael Cuddyer is still day-to-day as well with a left hamstring pull.

First-pitch for game one of the three-game set between the Giants and Rockies is scheduled for 8:40 PM ET, 6:40 PM MT.