Colorado Rockies game no. 162 thread: Ashton Goudeau vs Humberto Mejía

Dawn of the final day. Nine innings remain.

Today is the day. The sun is setting on the 2021 Major League Baseball season as the 162nd game is about to be played (technically 161st in the Rockies’ case due to hinky weather in Atlanta). As chaos reigns around the league with the American League WC race possibly ending in a four-way tie and the NL West divisional race potentially coming down to a game 163, the Colorado Rockies will play one final game in a mostly empty Chase Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

After a thrilling comeback in the first game of the final series, the Rockies got curb-stomped by the DBacks in an 11-2 affair last night. Now the Rockies will attempt to end their third straight losing season, and the possible final seasons in purple of several players, on a high note: one last game, one last win.

On the final game of the season, the Rockies turn to Ashton Goudeau to make the start. This will be his first start of the season after ten appearances out of the bullpen for Colorado. Since his return to the Rockies, Goudeau has posted a 4.84 ERA while giving up three home runs through 22 ¹⁄₃ innings of mostly long relief. The upside with Goudeau is his low BAA, just .197, and his low walk total of just 6 walks to 17 strikeouts. With the Rockies he’s also posted a WHIP of 0.94.

On the bump for Arizona is the right-handed rookie Humberto Mejía, the second Humberto the Rockies will face this series. Mejía hasn’t seen much big league action this year—starting just four games—and hasn’t had the easiest go of it when he’s been on the mound. With an ERA of 7.64, he’s given up at least four hits and two runs in each of his four starts. He’s made it through six innings just once, and was shelled in his last start to the tune of three home runs in 2 ²⁄₃ innings. Through 17 ²⁄₃ total innings pitched he has walked eight batters and given up five home runs. Mejía operates with a five pitch mix: a low-to-mid 90s fastball, a sinker, a slider, a changeup, and a curveball.

Prior to this afternoon’s ballgame, the Colorado Rockies announced the following roster moves:

First Pitch: 1:10 PM MDT

TV: AT&T Sports Net Rocky Mountain; MLB.tv

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Lineups: