Tampa Bay @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 18, 2009 ) Tampa Bay 3, Colorado 4

The Colorado Rockies have cooled off since a 13-4 start, but still stand atop the National League West after winning two of three at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Their productive offense gets tested when the Rockies start a three-game series against Matt Moore and the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Moore goes for his sixth victory against Colorado, which leads the majors in batting average and hits while recording an NL-best 148 runs. The Rockies, who are 9-3 at home, have lost seven of 11 overall.

Tampa Bay had to wait through a delay of about 2 1/2 hours before their game at Kansas City was postponed Thursday after losing the first two of the series. The Rays send 2012 American League Cy Young winner David Price to the hill Saturday. Matt Joyce has homered in three straight games for Tampa Bay, which has scored 28 runs in the last four contests.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (5-0, 1.13 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jeff Francis (1-2, 7.29)

Moore was one of the best pitchers in April, allowing only 13 hits and four runs in 32 innings. The 23-year-old gave up three hits and one run over six innings to beat the Chicago White Sox 10-4 last Saturday. Moore, who has won six consecutive starts dating back to last year, has 38 strikeouts and 15 walks in 2013. Opponents are batting .122 against Moore, who has never pitched against the Rockies.

Francis had a solid season debut and returned close to that form in his last outing, allowing two runs on four hits in five innings without getting a decision against Arizona. In between, the veteran left-hander gave up 19 runs (14 earned) in three appearances. Francis is 0-1 in a pair of starts against Tampa Bay with a 5.25 ERA. Evan Longoria is 4-for-6 with a homer against Francis.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado is 7-2 at home against Tampa Bay all-time in interleague play.

2. Tampa Bay has hit at least one home run in 16 straight games, belting 29 in that span.

3. Colorado’s bullpen allowed three runs, none earned, in 24 1/3 innings on the seven-game road trip that just ended.

PREDICTION: Rockies 5, Rays 4