Series Preview: Guardians at Rockies
Let’s see how this project works at a mile above sea level
The Guardians will face off against the Rockies in a three-game series starting today.
The Guardians enter the series at 36-17 with a +73 run differential, 10th in MLB with a team wRC+ of 104, 12th in MLB with 0.2 Baserunning Runs Above Average, sixth in MLB with 4,2 Defensive WAR, 26th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.49, and first in bullpen FIP at 2.73.
The Rockies are 18-34 with a -74 run differential (as usual better at home 11-13), 29th in MLB with a team wRC+ of 81, 22nd in MLB at -1.4 Baserunning Runs Above Average, 12th in MLB with -1 Defensive WAR, 29th in MLB in starting pitcher FIP at 4.68, and 29th in bullpen FIP at 4.70. No matter how you look at it, this is not a good Rockies team.
Matchups:
Game One: Xzavion Curry, RHP (4.50 xERA) vs. Austin Gomber, LHP (4.19 xERA), Monday, 4:10PM EST
Analysis: Can’t say I’m looking forward to seeing how Curry fares at Coors, but I’ve learned to never count him out. Austin Gomber also terrifies me (GOMBERED AGAIN), but hopefully our David Fry, Johnathan Rodriguez and Tyler Freeman bunch can find a way to get to the soft-tossing lefty.
Game Two: Triston McKenzie, RHP (5.21 xERA) vs. Ryan Feltner, RHP (4.01 xERA), Tuesday, 8:40PM EST
Analysis: Again, McKenzie in Coors feels like a bad fit, and Feltner is the Rockies’ best starter. It’ll be key to get to him early, with the Guardians led by David Fry at 205 wRC+, Jose Ramirez at 137 wRC+, Josh Naylor at 124 wRC+, Andres Gimenez at 109 wRC+ and Tyler Freeman at 96 wRC+.
Game Three: Logan Allen, RHP (4.06 xERA) vs. Ty Falk, LHP (4.75 xERA), Wednesday, 8:40PM EST
Analysis: Let’s see if Logan Allen can keep the Rockies in the park in this matchup of lefties. The Rockies are led by Jacob Stallings at 148 wRC+, Ryan McMahon at 134 wRC+, Ezequiel Tovar at 109 wRC+, Elias Diaz at 106 wRC+, and Brenton Doyle at 104 wRC+.