MLB Preview: Madison Bumgarner vs. Franklin Morales

Apr 22, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Franklin Morales (56) pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies (25-20) look to continue an important homestand against the NL West. They recently took two out of three from the San Diego Padres as the west leading San Francisco Giants (28-17) come to town. Colorado can cut the west lead with a couple wins or a sweep of San Francisco.

Franklin Morales will take the hill for the Rockies in game one of a three-game set. After starting out the season as a pleasant surprise in the rotation, Morales has faulted in his last four outings. In his last 21 innings pitched, Morales has given up 17 earned runs while giving up 30 hits — 4 home runs during that span. Morales struggled with pitch count in his last outing, throwing just five innings while giving up four earned on two home runs. Morales will look to bounce back against a team he held to one run and five hits in seven innings back on April 22nd.

Madison Bumgarner will go for the NL West leading San Francisco Giants. The southpaw is 3-0 in his last three starts as he has accumulated 22 strikeouts in that span. He is currently 5-3 on the season with a 3.25 ERA as he looks to keep the Rockies bats quiet. He has faced Colorado twice this year already, holding a record of 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA. Colorado is batting .316 against the Giants ace with 18 hits in 14.0 innings of work.

Rockies Lineup:

1: Brandon Barnes – RF
2: Michael Cuddyer – 1B
3: Troy Tulowitzki – SS
4: Carlos Gonzalez – LF
5: Nolan Arenado – 3B
6: Wilin Rosario – C
7: Drew Stubbs – CF
8: DJ LeMahieu – 2B
9: Franklin Morales – P

Game Notes:

• DJ LeMahieu is coming off of a three-game set vs. Padres where he went 7-for-12, raising his batting average to .303.
• Hunter Pence is 4-for-7 with a HR against Franklin Morales.
• Carlos Gonzalez is 13-for-37, (.351 average) with five HR’s vs. Madison Bumgarner.
• Michael Cuddyer is back in the Colorado Rockies lineup after being out since April 17th with a left hamstring strain.

First-pitch between the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies is scheduled for 8:40 PM ET, 6:40 PM MT.