Colorado @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2018 ) Colorado 3, St. Louis 6

After a torrid July, the Colorado Rockies started August with a rare setback and look to return to their winning ways on Thursday when they close a four-game set against the host St. Louis Cardinals. The Rockies dropped a 6-3 decision on Wednesday after going 17-6 in July and stand one game off the pace in the National League West.

Catcher Yadier Molina (two RBIs), Marcell Ozuna (one RBI) and Harrison Bader (two runs scored) each went 3-for-5 on Wednesday as St. Louis had 13 hits overall. Ozuna has been experiencing a lukewarm campaign but has heated up recently and is 12-of-35 with three homers and eight RBIs over the past eight contests. Colorado All-Star center fielder Charlie Blackmon was hitless in four at-bats on Wednesday to see the end of a 13-game hitting streak. Rockies All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado is 5-for-14 with a homer and five RBIs in the series and is two blasts away his fourth straight 30-homer campaign.

TV: 1:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Antonio Senzatela (4-3, 5.01 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (11-3, 2.83)

Senzatela is 2-2 with a 4.13 ERA in four starts since returning to the majors in early July. The 23-year-old defeated the Oakland Athletics in his last turn as he gave up one run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. Senzatela is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in two career starts against the Cardinals with the loss coming in St. Louis on July 24, 2017 when he allowed four runs and six hits over four innings.

Mikolas has won three straight decisions and is unbeaten over his last five outings. The 29-year-old gave up two runs and six hits over six innings while beating the Chicago Cubs in his last start and has allowed two or fewer runs in six of his past seven turns. Mikolas is making his first career start against Colorado, and allowed four runs (three earned) and four hits in 1 2/3 innings over two relief appearances in 2012 when he was a member of the San Diego Padres.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals SS Paul DeJong is 1-for-18 with eight strikeouts over the past four games.

2. Rockies 2B DJ LeMahieu (oblique) participated in a simulated game thrown by LHP Chris Rusin (foot) on Wednesday and is expected to be activated off the 10-day disabled list prior to Thursday's game.

3. St. Louis 2B Kolten Wong (knee) is slated to make a rehab appearance at Class A Peoria on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Cardinals 4