Colorado @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2013 ) Colorado 4, Philadelphia 5

As the career of arguably the greatest player in Colorado Rockies history winds down, Todd Helton hopes to finish with a flourish. The .317 career hitter will celebrate his 40th birthday Tuesday when Colorado visits the Philadelphia Phillies in the second contest of a four-game series. Helton is expected to retire after this season - his 17th - and his growing totals of 2,493 hits and 362 home runs should earn him serious Hall of Fame consideration.

With eight home runs, 40 RBIs and a .254 average, Helton doesn't produce like he once did, but the three-time Gold Glove winner can still pick it at first base and provides a strong veteran presence in the clubhouse. The five-time All-Star drove in a run with a ground-rule double in the Rockies' 5-4 loss Monday - their 25th in the last 33 road games. The Phillies won two straight contests for the first time since the All-Star Game and are 7-21 during that span after hitting the break with a 48-48 mark.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (12-6, 3.22 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Tyler Cloyd (2-2, 3.41)

De La Rosa allowed two runs and eight hits while striking out six in seven innings in Colorado's 4-2 victory over San Diego on Wednesday for his second straight win. The 32-year-old Mexican, who has won four of his last five decisions, is 0-4 with a 7.24 ERA in seven games (five starts) against Philadelphia. De La Rosa is 4-5 with a 3.84 ERA in 13 road starts this season and 24-36 in 108 career road games.

Cloyd was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace John Lannan, who was put on the disabled list with what could be a season-ending knee injury. The 26-year-old Papillion, Neb., native returns to the majors in fine form, going 4-1 with a 1.33 ERA in his last seven starts with the IronPigs. Cloyd last pitched for the Phillies on June 12 and received a no-decision after allowing one run in five innings of Philadelphia's 4-3 loss at Minnesota.

WALK-OFFS

1. If Helton reaches 2,500 hits, he'll join Hall of Famer Stan Musial as the only players to have 2,500 hits, 550 doubles, 350 home runs and a .310 career batting average. Musial had 3,630 hits (1,815 at home, 1,815 on the road), 725 doubles, 475 home runs and a .331 average; Helton has 583 doubles.

2. Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins and 2B Chase Utley are expected to start their 1,041st game together on Tuesday, surpassing the Yankees' Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano for the most contests among active double-play combinations, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

3. Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon, who earned his first save since July 11 on Monday, is the only member of the seven-man bullpen who has not pitched in Triple-A this season.

PREDICTION: Rockies 3, Phillies 2