Preview: Colorado Rockies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates. Jorge De La Rosa vs. Francisco Liriano

Jun 18, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa (29) in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Major League Baseball All-Star Break is over as we finally get into the second-half of the regular season. The Colorado Rockies fell on some hard times in the first-half, falling 15 games under .500 with a record of 40-55. Tonight, Colorado will look to become more consistent as they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates who are 49-46, three games above .500.

Pitching Matchup:

COL: Jorge De La Rosa (10-6, 4.56 ERA)
PIT: Francisco Liriano (1-7, 4.72 ERA)

Jorge De La Rosa takes the mound for the Colorado Rockies as he looks to give them something to build on. De La Rosa has won four consecutive starts for the Rockies, giving up just three earned over his last two starts (12 innings pitched). In his last start against the Minnesota Twins on July 11th, De La Rosa notched his 10th win of the season. The southpaw went six strong innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out three.

Francisco Liriano will counter for the Pittsburgh Pirates as he has scuffled this season in the win column due to the lack of runs produced by his own team. Liriano is currently 1-7 on the season with an ERA of 4.72. He looks to put the first-half behind him facing a talented Rockies lineup. In Liriano’s last start, he lasted just four innings, giving up three runs on three hits, walking six and striking out four. Liriano struggled with command all game as he exited the fourth with 94 pitches.

Rockies Lineup:

1: Corey Dickerson – LF
2: Drew Stubbs – CF
3: Carlos Gonzalez – RF
4: Troy Tulowitzki  – SS
5: Nolan Arenado – 3B
6: Wilin Rosario – C
7: Charlie Culberson – 1B
8: DJ LeMahieu – 2B
9: Jorge De La Rosa – P

Game Notes:

• Nolan Arenado is 3-for-4 lifetime vs. Francisco Liriano with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 walk.
• Wilin Rosario is 2-for-5 lifetime vs. Francisco Liriano with 1 double, 1 home run, and 4 RBI’s.
• Andrew McCutchen is 5-for-14 lifetime vs. Jorge De La Rosa with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 RBI, and 3 walks.
• Justin Morneau (stiff neck) scratched from the lineup.

First-pitch between the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET, 5:05 PM MT.