San Diego Padres Series Preview vs. Colorado Rockies

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For the last time this year, the Padres (74-81) host a series, this time against the Rockies (65-91). The Padres need to be careful to not take the Rockies lightly as Colorado has won 6 straight games. They have climbed themselves out of the NL West cellar and usurped the Arizona Diamondbacks for 4th place in the division. They are coming off of a 4-game sweep of Arizona this past weekend.

Colorado has been banged up most of the year. Nolan Arenado has been on and off the disabled list all year, and we may not see him in this series. Jhoulys Chacin is out for the year, as is Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez. That is a lot of firepower on the shelf.

The Padres head into this series on a 4-game winning streak and are coming off of a sweep of the Giants. This will be an entertaining showdown between the two hottest teams in the division.

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Eric Stults (7-17, 4.59 ERA) kicks off the final home series against Tyler Matzek (6-10, 4.19 ERA). Stults allowed 4 runs in 4.1 innings against the Phillies his last time out. He has allowed at least 2 earned runs in 5 straight starts. He pitched against the Rockies earlier this month, going 6.1 innings and allowing 3 runs and getting the loss. Matzek faced the Padres that same day and got the win, pitching a complete game 3-hitter. He has faced the Padres 3 times this year, with a 4.29 ERA.

Although the Rockies offense is banged up, they still have hitters that can make life hard for San Diego. Corey Dickerson has already introduced himself to the Padres earlier this year, as he has 14 hits and 3 home runs against the Padres this year. He leads the Rockies with 24 home runs and is second on the team with 75 RBI.

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Robbie Erlin (4-4, 4.53 ERA) will start one more time this year. His counterpart will be the veteran Jorge De La Rosa (14-11, 4.14 ERA). Erlin has been hurt nearly all summer but he has faced the Rockies 3 times this year. With a total of 11.2 innings, he has allowed 10 earned runs. He had a solid start against Philadelphia his last time out, going 6 innings and only allowing one run. De La Rosa has started against San Diego 18 times in his career. He is 8-3 with a 4.49 ERA. The Padres have hit him well in the past.

Charlie Blackmon had himself an All-Star caliber year. He is hitting .286 with 18 home runs, 71 RBI and a team leading 28 stolen bases. He has 21 hits and 2 home runs against San Diego this year. He earned his first All-Star bid this year. He also leads his team with 79 runs scored.

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In the finale, the Padres have not announced an official starter. It could be Tyson Ross (13-14, 2.81) if he is feeling healthy. He would pitch against the rookie Yohan Flande (0-5, 4.91 ERA). Flande is yet to notch his first major league win. His last start against the Padres was a loss. He pitched well, going 6 innings and only allowing 2 runs. He has been in and out of the bullpen this year, serving as a spot starter at times. This would be his 10th start of the year.

Justin Morneau has been a key addition to the Rockies this year. In 130 games, he has hit 16 home runs and leads the team with 79 RBI. He also has 31 doubles. He is hitting .371 in his last 10 games. In his last appearance against the Padres, he went 2-for-3 with a walk. He is hitting .423 against the Padres this season.

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

This is the last time the Padres will be able to play at Petco Park this season. They have a winning record at home. This series may decide if the Padres can finish with a better record than last year. The Padres need to win this series. These will be the last memories San Diego fans have of the Padres this year, the team should make sure they are positive ones.

Last Home Series: Padres Host Rockies

Schedule