MLB
NLDS Game 2 Preview: Colorado Rockies @ Milwaukee Brewers
The Rockies clash with the Brewers in a pivotal NLDS game 2. Milwaukee won a dramatic game one last night, blowing a 2-0 lead in the 9th only to walk it off in the 10th on a Mike Moustakas single. If Colorado can get even up the series, they’ll steal home field advantage from the Brewers. However, if Milwaukee can go up 2-0, they guarantee at the very least a winner-take-all game five at home.
Keys For The Rockies
- Tyler Anderson gets the ball for the Rockies, on normal rest. His last start entailed 7 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball against the Nationals. The Rockies will likely live and die based on how Anderson throws, seeing as the offense has struggled mightily. While he was rocked by the Brewers in his last start against them, giving up seven runs in less than four innings. Which version of Anderson shows up might determine if the Rockies can even up the series.
- Scoring first. The Rockies are 56-17 when scoring first, and failed to do so against the Brewers yesterday. If they can jumpstart the offense early, their odds will skyrocket. Neither team cashed in scoring opportunities yesterday, so one big hit might be the difference in this one. One of the Rockies’ stars – Arenado, Story, Blackmon – need to come up big here.
Keys For The Brewers
- Chacin is giving them some length. The Brewers went with a bullpen day yesterday, and it worked great. For eight innings, that is. All-star closer Jeremy Jeffress promptly blew their 2-0 lead, and today many of the Brewers top relievers may be limited or even unable to go. If Chacin can keep the Rockies in check and give the Brewers at least 5 or 6 innings, they’ve got a great chance to go up 2-0 in the series. Keep in mind Jhoulys is pitching on three days’ rest, something he has never done.
- Productive Outs. The Brewers left 18 runners on in game 1, including blowing a second and third, no outs situation in the 8th without scoring. If they can cash in just a couple of those runners in the game today, which only requires a productive out like a sac fly and not necessarily a hit, then I would guess they win this one.
Prediction
Anderson has been good lately, but Milwaukee will hit him around some in this one. I just don’t trust the Rockies’ offense to wake up in time – expect the Brewers to cash in a couple of the opportunities they blew yesterday, and win comfortably to go up 2-0 and put the Rockies on the brink of elimination. Brewers 5, Rockies 2.
jenniferlinneaphotography via Flickr
