San Diego @ Colorado preview
Coors Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 5, 2013 ) San Diego 2, Colorado 5
Jon Garland has waited a long time for Saturday and he will also get his first chance to impress his new employer when the Colorado Rockies host the San Diego Padres on Saturday. Garland last started a major-league game June 1, 2011, with the Los Angeles Dodgers before suffering a shoulder injury. He began spring training with Seattle, but after the Mariners told him March 22 he would not be in the starting rotation, Colorado signed him March 24.
The Rockies are off to a 3-1 start and have hit 10 home runs while scoring 24 runs. Colorado won its home opener 5-2 over San Diego on Friday as Troy Tulowitzki continued his hot start (.375, two homers, six RBIs) with a two-run double. The Padres are 1-3 as they struggle through their season-opening six-game road trip and have mustered only 10 runs, one home run and three doubles.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego, ROOT Sports (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tyson Ross (2012: 2-11, 6.50 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Garland (NR)
Ross, who was 6-18 in his first three seasons with Oakland, lost his final eight decisions last season with the Athletics. His last of 13 starts in 2012 came Aug. 23 before making five appearances out of the bullpen in September. Ross had a solid spring training with a 2.42 ERA in 22 1/3 innings, allowing 17 hits and striking out 20, but had command issues at times with 11 walks. He won the No. 5 starter's job over Andrew Cashner, who is in the bullpen.
Garland, who is 132-119 in his career, had an excellent spring training with a 2.00 ERA in five starts - the first four with Seattle - and 15 hits allowed in 18 innings. He allowed one run in six innings against the Dodgers on March 26 in his only spring start for Colorado. The 33-year-old Garland, who is pitching for his sixth team, won a World Series with the Chicago White Sox in 2005. He started Game 3, but did not get a decision in Chicago's 7-5 victory over Houston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Carlos Gonzalez, Tulowitzki and Michael Cuddyer, the Nos. 3-5 hitters in the Colorado lineup, are a combined 18-for-50 with five home runs and 12 RBIs.
2. Padres' starters own a 7.36 ERA.
3. Garland went 14-12 with a 3.47 ERA in 200 innings for San Diego in 2010.
PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Padres 5