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Sweet Odin people are freaking out about this series against the Rockies. Maybe it's just the people I see on Twitter. So, everyone knows about the pitching woes caused by the thin air in Colorado.It should come as no surprise that the Rockies have to date scored the second most runs in baseball (4.93 rs/g).But hey! Guess what? That's right, they've also allowed the second most runs to score in baseball (4.90 ra/g). So maybe let's calm down about the Rockies, huh?
Need more comforting? Okay you big baby, here: 78 wRC+. That's the Rockies' wRC+ over the last 30 days. That ranks 28th in MLB. You want to know who has been the second best in baseball over that time span? Take a guess. Ugh, no it's not the Rockies. I just told you...*sigh* it's the Brewers you dolt. Technically they're tied for first with the Pirates at a 117 wRC+. Also, and holy crap, the Rockies as a team have a 5.90 ERA in that time span. That's the worst over the last 30 days by like, a lot.
Friday June 20th, 7:40 pm CT: Marco Estrada vs Christian Bergman
It's always hard for me to look at a rookie and know what he is without a lot scouting reports to go on. I see very little about Bergman. Looking at his stats in the minors can be misleading but he has never put up big strike out numbers nor does he walk guys. His fast ball seems to sit around 89 and he compliments it with a changeup, slider, and seldom used curveball. Your guess is as good as mine but I have faith in the Brewers offense.
Of note for the Brewers: I know all but 74 people have abandoned Marco Estrada, but I still love him. I think this home run plague is something that can be cured (even though it will always haunt him to some degree). That being said, I don't have a whole lot of faith that he'll fair well pitching up in the clouds. I'd bet on a high scoring game for both sides.
Saturday June 21st, 3:10 pm CT: Wily Peralta vs Christian Friedrich
Christian Friedrich just made Marc Hulet's top 15 prospects list for the Rockies...in 2012. Friedrich is no longer one of their better prospects and that's not just because he lost eligibility after pitching 84 innings in 2012. Those innings were horrible and he spent the rest of the time until now sucking in AAA. Going on the stats from 2012, he has a low 90's fastball, along with a slider, curve and change-up. Anything can happen in a baseball game so I won't say it's a slam dunk, but he's a struggling lefty that is making his first appearance in the majors in years.
Sunday June 22nd, 3:10 pm CT: Kyle Lohse vs Tyler Matzek
Matzek is another former top prospect in the Rockies organization, though he made the list more recently. He has a mid 90's fastball. A curveball that has "plus potential" and a work in progress change-up. Matzek seems to have trouble with his command and has had pretty high walk rates in the minors. He's only pitched 12 innings in the majors so it's hard to tell where he's at now, but his minor league numbers have not been terribly impressive. Matzek is also a lefty which is nice. I might be wrong, but I think this is the first time all season the Brewers have face a lefty two days in a row.
Conclusion
While I am concerned about the Brewers' pitching in Colorado, I'm more looking forward to the Rockies pitching in Colorado. Injuries suck, and the Rockies are dealing with some big ones right now. Nolan Arenado, Michael Cuddyer, and Carlos Gonzalez are all on the disabled list right now. They've also got several pitchers on the DL hence Bergman and Friedrich. I'm optimistic about this series (and for some reason I seem to be the only one). I'm calling 2 out of 3.
Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs
