Series Preview: San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies

The San Francisco Giants are heading to the mountains to face the Colorado Rockies this week. The Giants took 2 of 3 during their first meeting this season in AT&T Park, and will need to do at least that much in order to keep up with the Dodgers in the NL West. The bats have went into hiding for the Giants so a trip to Colorado, where balls like to fly out of the park, may be just what they need. I would expect some action from Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval this week as well, as they have some ownage against this team and park.

Apr 13, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants infielder Pablo Sandoval (48) points to the crowd after hitting a home run against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning at AT&T Park. The Giants defeated the Rockies 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching Matchups & Keys to Game

Monday, 5:40 PM PT

• Ryan Vogelsong RHP (0-0, 5.40 ERA) for the Giants
• Jorge De La Rosa LHP (0-3, 7.58 ERA) for the Rockies

Simply put, the Giants need to hit. If they’re going to break the slump, Colorado is the place to do it. Three things to keep in mind:

1. Buster Posey owns Coors Field with a .402 career average there, as well as a 1.107 OPS.

2. Pablo Sandoval owns De La Rosa. He’s 11 for 34 off him with a .324 average. I expect to see him back in the lineup tonight, and I expect to see a better looking Panda at the plate.

3. Ryan Vogelsong looked a lot better in his last start, which game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He gave up only 4 hits and 1 earned run in 6 innings pitched. I’ll take that every day of the week. I expect more runs tonight simply because the way the ball travels in Colorado, however, if he can pitch smart and limit the damage, it’ll be good for the Giants and good for Vogelsong’s confidence heading into the second month of baseball.

Tuesday, 5:40 PM PT

• Madison Bumgarner LHP (2-1, 3.48 ERA) for the Giants
• Franklin Morales LHP (1-1, 4.82 ERA) for the Rockies

Morales is back in a starting pitching role in Colorado after spending 3 seasons pitching relief in Boston. The Giants did face him for 1 inning in relief back in the April 13th game where he allowed no hits. The key for Tuesdays game will be what it usually is when Bumgarner is on the mound: The Giants will need to be able to scrape together just a few runs and Bumgarner will need to continue to dominate. After Bumgarner’s last outing, his worst of the season, I expect to see him back to standard form on Tuesday night.

Wednesday, 10:05AM PT

• Matt Cain RHP (0-3, 2.88 ERA) for the Giants
• Tyler Chatwood RHP (1-0, 2.77 ERA) for the Rockies

This will be an interesting matchup. Matt Cain has pitched excellent in his last two starts, with absolutely nothing to show for it due to lack of run support. Run support shouldn’t be an issue in Colorado, so I look forward to seeing what Cain can do there. However, Chatwood has looked good this season as well, giving up only 1 HR and 1 walk so far, compared to 3 HRs  and 7 walks for Cain. I will note that Chatwood’s only home run given up this was to none other than Sandoval, who really needs to get his bat going this week. Chatwood gave up 4 earned runs and 6 hits the last time he faced the Giants. Oh, and the Giants account for all 4 of his earned runs in his two starts this season.