MLB Series Preview: Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

May 1, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) is congratulated by catcher Wilin Rosario (20) after scoring in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies found some success this past week, going 4-2 on their home stand as they now hit the road for a three-game set with the NL West leading Los Angeles Dodgers as Colorado sits just a game back of them.

Colorado looks to bounce back after a disappointing showing of their bullpen in Wednesday’s series finale loss to the San Francisco Giants. The bullpen alone accounted for seven earned runs on seven hits, four walks, and they would give up three home runs. Colorado will send right-handed pitcher Jordan Lyles to the bump in game one of the three-game set. Lyles has been the biggest surprise this season, going 3-0 with a 3.04 ERA in four starts. His sinker was the best it has been all season in his last outing, getting the Philadelphia Phillies to ground out 14 times while pitching seven scoreless innings.

Records:

Colorado Rockies: 12-11, third in the NL West.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 13-10, first in the NL West.

Probable Starting Pitchers:

4/25: Jordan Lyles (COL): (3-0, 3.04 ERA) vs. Josh Beckett (LAD): (0-0, 2.57 ERA)
4/26: Juan Nicasio (COL): (2-0, 4.30 ERA) vs. Paul Maholm (LAD): (0-2, 5.60 ERA)
4/27: Jorge De La Rosa (COL): (1-3, 6.38 ERA) vs. Hyun-Jin Ryu (LAD): (3-1, 2.12 ERA)

Outside of Jordan Lyles and Franklin Morales on the mound, Charlie Blackmon has been by far the biggest surprise on the offensive side. Blackmon has cemented himself as the starting center fielder with the strong start he has had. Charlie is batting at an incredible clip right now with a line of .410/.453/.692 with five home runs, 16 runs batted in going (32-for-78) at the dish. Blackmon hit his fifth home run Wednesday afternoon tying first baseman Justin Morneau for the team lead.

Ex-Colorado Rockie Juan Uribe has feasted off of his former team. The third baseman has gone (19-for-51) hitting .373 with one home run and 12 RBI’s. Uribe was a member of the Rockies’ team back in 2001-03′.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado went 1-for-6 in Wednesday’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants, extending his career-best hit streak to 14-games. Over this span, the second-year pro is hitting .345 with two home runs, eight runs batted in while scoring six runs.

One thing the Rockies’ can feed off of in game one is getting to Dodgers’ starter Josh Beckett early. In all three of his starts, the righty hasn’t made it past five innings as his pitch-count has been relatively high.

Notes:

• Rockies’ starter Jhoulys Chacin made a rehab start for the Triple-A affiliate Colorado Springs Sky Sox, throwing 4.2 innings, giving up five hits, four runs, two earned, one walk while striking out four. Chacin could be back with the club as soon as next week in the starting rotation.