The Colorado Rockies just wrapped up a four-game series against the worst team in the National League.
Now they’ll face one of the best clubs in the American League.
It is a tough task for a team trying to avoid a second straight 100-loss season. Colorado, which lost 12-8 in the finale of a four-game series with the Miami Marlins on Thursday, will host the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a three-game series on Friday night in Denver.
Baltimore will begin the series with right-hander Albert Suarez (6-4, 3.18 ERA), while the Rockies will counter with left-hander Austin Gomber (4-9, 4.70).
The Orioles are coming off dropping two straight games to the Los Angeles Dodgers, including 6-3 Thursday night. That dropped Baltimore 1 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East.
The Orioles will turn to Suarez in an effort to end their small slide. The 34-year-old is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in four appearances (one start) against Colorado. His lone start and three overall games against the Rockies have come at Coors Field, where he holds a 4.50 ERA.
Suarez has been consistent for Baltimore this season after last pitching in the majors in 2017 when he was with the San Francisco Giants. He pitched in Japan and South Korea before signing a minor league deal with the Orioles.
“You need great stories, you need cool things to happen, and Albert is one of those great stories,” Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said. “A guy who’s been a journeyman and has been a huge, huge part of why we have the record we have.”
One reason Suarez has been successful is he has generated more power from his legs. It has resulted in a higher velocity and better results.
“As a pitcher, you need to learn how to use power from the ground,” Suarez said. “I’ve always been strong, but I didn’t know how to use it.”
He’ll face a young Colorado lineup that features some veterans, including second baseman Brendan Rodgers, who got off to a slow start but has come on in the second half of the season, complete with two homers on Thursday.
Rodgers is batting .316 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in August.
“You could nitpick on a number of things, 12 home runs (on the season) and I think there’s more in there and he’d be the first to tell you,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “The RBI total (48), maybe you can nitpick at that, but he’s doing fine. He’s playing good defense, he’s hitting .274, he’s had a good second half, and hits well at home. Like all of our guys, we’ve got to do a better job of hitting on the road.”
Another veteran is Gomber, who has given the rotation some stability despite his lack of wins. He has thrown at least six innings in four of his last five starts and is 2-2 with a 4.34 ERA in that span.
Friday will mark the first time he has faced the Orioles in his career.
–Field Level Media