Colorado Rockies game no. 72 thread: Carson Palmquist vs Jake Irvin

The Rockies are riding high after blowing out the Braves on Sunday. Can they keep the momentum going?

The Colorado Rockies pulled off an unexpected blowout victory on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves and might have some momentum to carry into their series against the Washington Nationals in our nation’s capital. The Rockies are looking to win consecutive games for what will be just the third time this season.

Making an unexpected start for the Rockies is left-handed rookie Carson Palmquist. Palmquist was optioned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes last week, but a last minute injury-list designation for the original expected starter Kyle Freeland caused the Rockies to bring him back to the big league roster. Palmquist pitched four innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits—one of which was a home run—and three walks his last time out.

On the bump for the Nationals is right-handed pitcher Jake Irvin to make his 15th start of the season. Irvin is currently carrying a 4.21 ERA with 54 strikeouts through 83 ¹⁄₃ innings this season. He has great extension and doesn’t issue many walks, but also doesn’t have a lot of swing and miss stuff in his arsenal. His primary pitch is a mid-to-high 70s curveball with 14 inches of glove side break, but lower than average vertical drop. He also throws a low 90s four seam fastball, a changeup, a sinker, and the occasional cutter and slider.

Irvin has faced the Rockies three times in his career. Unfortunately for the Rockies, he’s also been very successful against them. His 8.67 strikeout to walk ratio and 12.8 SO/9 are the best of any team he’s faced, though he has given up six home runs.

Prior to this afternoon’s game, the Rockies recalled first baseman Michael Toglia from Triple-A Albuquerque. Infielder Keston Hiura has been designated for assignment. The Rockies’ 40-man roster sits at 39.

First Pitch: 4:45 p.m. MT

TV: Rockies.tv

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

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