Colorado Rockies game no. 27 thread: Nick Lodolo vs. Bradley Blalock

Can the Rockies avoid the sweep on the third day again?

The Colorado Rockies are once again looking to avoid the sweep after dropping the first two games of this series to the Cincinnati Reds. They will also be looking to avoid back-to-back sweeps for the second time in as many weeks as they continue to trudge through a historically bad season.

The Rockies’ 4-22 start to the season is their worst start through 26 games in franchise history, and it is only the second time in franchise history that they have lost 22 of 26 games at any point in a season (also: June 18-July 19, 2001). They also join company such as the 2024 Chicago White Sox, 2022 Cincinnati Reds, 2003 Detroit Tigers and 1988 Baltimore Orioles as the only teams in the Division Era (since 1969) to lose at least 22 of their first 26 games. The 2024 White Sox finished 41-121; the 2022 Reds finished 62-100; the 2003 Tigers finished 43-119; and the 1988 Orioles finished 54-107.

Right-hander Bradley Blalock (0-0, 6.00 ERA) will make a spot start this afternoon after being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque this morning. Blalock has made two other appearances this year, pitching three total innings and allowing two runs (both home runs in his first appearance against the Philadelphia Phillies) on five hits with two strikeouts. In 2024, Blalock made seven appearances (six for the Rockies — all starts — after being acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers for Nick Mears) and went 1-3 with a 6.07 ERA. He will face the Reds for the first time today.

Blalock will face Reds’ left-hander Nick Lodolo (2-2, 2.79 ERA). In his last outing against the Miami Marlins, Lodolo pitched 5 ²⁄₃ innings and allowed three runs on seven hits with one home run, one hit batter, two walks and four strikeouts in the 6-3 loss. Lodolo has faced the Rockies two other times in his career, both at Great American Ball Park, going 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA.

The Rockies have avoided the sweep on the final day of a series three other times this season. Can they do it again?

First Pitch: 1:10 p.m. MT

TV: Rockies.tv

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

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