After a heartbreaking extra-inning loss on Tuesday, the Colorado Rockies are looking to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays to close out their homestand. Pitching has had a tough time containing the Rays’ offense, but perhaps their veteran right-hander today can put a stop to the skid.
Tomoyuki Sugano (11-4, 4.47 ERA) has continually dazzled this season in a Rockies uniform, and having survived the trade deadline, Sugano will look to keep things rolling against a familiar foe. Sugano has faced
the Rays just one time last season, giving up seven runs on nine hits over five innings of work. The Rays are aggressive and good at making contact, so that could prove troublesome, but that was also the case against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 24 when he allowed two runs on six hits over 5.1 innings of work. Sugano’s last outing was a beauty, as he allowed just one run on five hits over 6.2 innings against the Kansas City Royals. He has also excelled at Coors Field, carrying a 7-2 record with a 3.78 ERA over 50 innings across nine starts.
Nick Martinez (10-3, 2.77 ERA) has been incredible for the Rays this season after signing as a free agent. After a solid couple of seasons in Cincinnati where he split time between the bullpen and the rotation, Martinez has kicked things up a notch thanks to the pitching magic of the Rays and earned an All-Star nod this year.. He isn’t a strikeout machine, but also doesn’t walk a lot of batters. So, Martinez, much like Sugano, relies on his ability to induce soft contact and utilize the defense behind him. A 4.12 FIP indicates that the Rays are doing a lot of heavy lifting for him, so putting the ball in play as much as possible is still going to be the best bet.
And now to the details.
First Pitch: 1:10 pm MDT
TV: Rockies TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
SB Nation site: DRays Bay
Lineups:
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!
