New York @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2011 ) Colorado 4, NY Yankees 6

As the New York Yankees begin a three-game series in Colorado on Tuesday, don't expect the Rockies to be in awe of the 27-time World Series champions. After all, their records are only a half-game apart. “There’s no reason to be intimidated. I mean, they’ve got some good players, but they’re not the team they were in spring training because they’ve got a lot of guys who are hurt,” said Colorado left-hander Jeff Francis, who is scheduled to face New York on Thursday.

The Yankees, who were swept in a three-game series in their last visit to Coors Field in 2007, have six regulars on the disabled list. The reserves and call-ups have kept New York afloat at 18-12 and second in the American League East. The Rockies are a surprising 18-13 and sit second in the National League West. The Yankees send Hiroki Kuroda to the mound. Kuroda was New York's best starter in April, but is 1-5 with a 5.52 ERA against Colorado during his days with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including 1-2 and 6.85 at Coors Field. The Rockies counter with Jorge De La Rosa, who said he was tipping his pitches in his last outing.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, YES (New York), ROOT Sports (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (4-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (2-3, 4.18)

Kuroda overcame a slow start before winning his fourth straight decision with seven scoreless innings in New York's 7-4 victory over Houston on Tuesday. He allowed three hits and walked four while throwing 67 pitches over the first three innings before pitching coach Larry Rothschild recommended he work exclusively from the stretch. The move paid off as Kuroda allowed only one hit over his last four frames. Kuroda has a WHIP of 1.06 and opponents are hitting .206 against him.

De La Rosa allowed six runs and 11 hits in four innings as he fell to 0-8 against the Dodgers following Tuesday's 6-2 loss in Los Angeles. The 32-year-old Mexican said the Dodgers knew what he was going to throw, something he vows to fix. De La Rosa recorded four straight quality starts in his previous four outings - all six-inning efforts. De La Rosa is 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA in 12 1/3 innings versus the Yankees, with the victories coming in 2006 and 2007 while he was with Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees CF Curtis Granderson (forearm) is playing extended spring training games in Florida, but there is no timetable for his return. The other injured starters are 1B Mark Teixeira (wrist), SS Derek Jeter (ankle), 3B Alex Rodriguez (hip), C Francisco Cervelli (hand) and 1B-3B Kevin Youkilis (back).

2. Rockies rookie 3B Nolan Arenado, who made his major-league debut April 28, is hitting .323 with three homers and eight RBIs after seven games.

3. Colorado manager Walt Weiss grew up in Suffern, N.Y., which is about 30 miles from Yankee Stadium, and dreamed of playing for the Yankees.

PREDICTION: Yankees 3, Rockies 2