The Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins will forever be linked in baseball history. The two expansion franchises debuted in 1993, bringing the major leagues to two new states, and both teams have appeared in the World Series.
The teams share another similarity this year, but not one that is celebrated — they possess the two worst records in the National League. Colorado has a better record by a half-game, but that could change when the teams begin a four-game series Monday night in Denver.
Miami will send Edward Cabrera (2-5, 5.65 ERA) to the mound while the Rockies are expected to activate fellow right-hander Ryan Feltner from the injured list to make the start. Feltner (1-10, 5.00) has been out since leaving his last outing on Aug. 7 with a right shoulder strain.
The Marlins have lost 11 of their last 15 games but enter Monday after snapping a five-game skid at the Chicago Cubs on Sunday afternoon. While the recent past hasn’t been pleasant for Miami, a glimpse into the future has been more uplifting. Namely, the splash Connor Norby has made since being recalled from Triple-A a week ago.
Norby, 24, was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on July 30. He has six extra-base hits in his first 25 plate appearances, including finishing a triple shy of the cycle in Sunday’s 7-2 win over the Cubs.
“I’m just trying to keep it simple now, stick to my plan and approach,” Norby said. “Trust my work that I put in. Try to play team baseball. The more you focus on the team, I think it takes pressure off you individually.”
If he keeps hitting, it will make Cabrera’s job easier on Monday night in Denver, where he is 1-1 with 2.25 ERA in two starts against the Rockies. Monday will be his fourth career start against Colorado; he holds a 1-1 record with a 3.94 ERA in the previous three outings.
Feltner lasted just one inning against the New York Mets three weeks ago, which was his latest chance to end a personal losing streak. He has not won since April 12 against Toronto and is 0-9 in his last 20 starts. He has pitched well enough to win, but Colorado has struggled to score this year — the Rockies have been shut out 13 times.
Feltner is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in three career starts against Miami.
The Rockies return home after going 2-4 against Washington and the New York Yankees.
One of the lone bright spots during the weekend in the Bronx was Jake Cave’s four-hit day in Saturday’s 9-2 win. Cave was acquired in March and has been a boost for the young Rockies.
“Jake has been good all year,” manager Bud Black said Saturday. “He has delivered. He has been a big part of when we win games.”
–Field Level Media