MLB Game Preview - Boston at Colorado
Tue Aug 27, 2019 8:40 PM EDT

PIT
5
PHI
4
F
BAL
2
WSH
0
F
ATL
1
TOR
3
F
CIN
8
MIA
5
F
CHC
5
NYM
2
F
CLE
10
DET
1
F
STL
6
MIL
3
F
TB
1
HOU
15
F
MIN
3
CHW
1
F
OAK
2
KC
1
F
BOS
10
COL
6
F
ARI
3
SF
2
F
TEX
2
LAA
5
F
LAD
9
SD
0
F
NYY
7
SEA
0
F
Red Sox visit Rockies, looking to remain in race
Tue Aug 27, 2019 12:39 AM

When the 2019 schedule was released, the two-game series between the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies that starts Tuesday in Denver looked like one that would have playoff implications. Both teams had high expectations for the season, but things haven't gone as planned.

The Red Sox, the reigning World Series champions, are still alive in the AL wild-card race but need a strong finish and a couple of teams ahead of them to have extended slumps to reach the postseason.

The Rockies, on the heels of two straight playoff appearances, are playing out the string after a disappointing second half of the season.

Colorado's clubhouse has turned into a triage unit as August has rolled along. In the past eight days, pitchers Jon Gray (left foot fracture), Kyle Freeland (groin strain), German Marquez (right arm inflammation) and Scott Oberg (blood clot) have been placed on the injured list and replaced with arms from Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Rockies also have lost outfielders David Dahl (high ankle sprain) and Raimel Tapia (left hand contusion) this month. The injuries have mounted as quickly as the losses.

Marquez's turn in the rotation is Tuesday, and of Monday night, the Rockies had not announced a starter to replace him.

The Red Sox will send former Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello to the mound, and the right-hander will try to build on his recent improved performances. After posting a 7.94 ERA in July, Porcello (11-10, 5.49 ERA) has gone 2-2 with a 4.09 ERA in four August starts.

"I feel a lot better. My command has improved," Porcello told The Boston Globe. "I'm putting the ball where I want to put it in the zone and limiting mistakes. I still feel I need to do a much better job with those one or two pitches each game that get me in trouble. But it has been an improvement."

Porcello will make his fourth career start against the Rockies and second at Coors Field. He is 2-1 with a 4.76 ERA against Colorado, with the one loss coming in Denver. In his lone start there he allowed nine runs -- six earned -- and lasted just three innings in 2011.

The injuries and the disappointing swoon that has lasted two months have not impacted the play of Colorado's best player, Nolan Arenado. On Sunday in St. Louis, he hit his team-leading 33rd home run, a shot that gave him 100 RBIs for the fifth straight season.

He's also hitting .305 after going 1-for-3 on Monday in Colorado's 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in a makeup game at Coors Field. Arenado is trying to hit .300 for the second time in his career. His career best was .309 in 2017.

"We talk every day to everybody about our current state, and our guys with service time play a big part in the everyday vibe of the team," Rockies manager Bud Black said Sunday. "It's hard, but our guys are doing a good job.

"You're seeing the continued fight every night. The energy level throughout the day is consistent to where it's been all year."

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
Boston            
Colorado            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Rick Porcello - (N/A)
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Colorado
Rico Garcia - WSH
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Boston

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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