The Colorado Rockies were unable to complete the sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but they were able to show plenty of offensive output in the series. They stumbled out of the gate in each game but managed to pull things together later in the game to make things interesting and take two of the three games. They scored 26 runs after the fourth inning in the series, which highlights of much this team won’t quit, particularly at Coors Field.
While the Pirates have a solid pitching staff that the Rockies managed to crack through against, the visiting Toronto Blue Jays are another matter as a team. The team from the North currently holds a three-game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the American League East. They have emerged as one of the best teams in the league this season, thanks to a productive offense and strong pitching, meaning the Rockies will have quite a challenge.
Tanner Gordon (2-3, 4.85 ERA) takes the mound, looking for some better fortune after his last start. Facing the Cleveland Guardians, Gordon was hammered for seven runs (six earned) on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts. He ran into the same problem that persisted in 2024 when teams would jump on his fastballs early in the count over the plate. The Blue Jays are an even more dangerous lineup compared to Cleveland, meaning Gordon is going to have to find a way to throw off their timing and keep them off balance. Locating his pitches better will help replicate the success he had against St. Louis on July 23 at Coors Field.
He’ll be opposed by Eric Lauer (6-2, 2.68 ERA). The lefty-hurler is having quite the year with the Blue Jays, after not pitching in the big leagues in 2024. After a few strong seasons with Milwaukee, Lauer struggled in 2023 and elected free agency after he was outrighted after the season. He bounced around with the Pirates and the Houston Astros last season before joining Toronto on a minor league deal. His contract was selected at the end of April, and he hasn’t looked back. He worked mainly out of the bullpen as a long reliever before joining the rotation full-time in the middle of June. He’s typically given up a couple of runs in each start, but he doesn’t walk many and can generate swing and misses. In his last start against the Baltimore Orioles, he allowed two runs on five hits over five innings of work.
It’s worth noting that this will be the first time that Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, son of Rockies great Dante Bichette, will play a regular-season game at Coors Field. I believe he was injured the last time the Blue Jays came to town. However, it is not his first game ever, as he did appear in the 2021 All-Star Game.
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. MT
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM, KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
Check later for the Blue Jays lineup in the comments section
