After losing two out of their last three games in Los Angeles, the Colorado Rockies return home to Coors Field to host a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. Both teams are eager to climb out of the last-place spot in their respective divisions. Cincinnati has won five more games than Colorado this season, a surprising fact considering the Rockies’ poor start. Just a few weeks ago, they had only eight wins. This Rockies franchise has faced significant challenges since the beginning of the regular season, including the Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner, who’s pitching game one of this series and has a 1-4 record through 11 starts.
Just a few weeks ago, they held just eight wins under their belt. This Rockies franchise has gone through so much adversity since the start of the regular season. Especially Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner, who’s pitching game one of this series and has put up just a 1-4 record through 11 starts. With these two young, promising teams determined to not sit at the bottom of their divisions all season long, this series will be stellar.
Ryan Feltner Has Struggled But Must Prevail vs. Reds
Both teams have vastly similar offensive numbers this season. Cincinnati has scored 238 runs, while Colorado brought home 242. Also, both teams have recorded 226 runs batted in. While the Rockies have put up more hits and a higher batting average, the Reds have blasted five more home runs. These two teams also have similar strikeout numbers, with the Reds striking out 248 times and the Rockies 251. Cincinnati’s batters have been walked 205 times compared to Colorado’s offense, who’ve walked 164 times. The Reds have stolen an additional 57 bases than the Rockies. This series should be wildly intriguing, with both teams having offenses that are different yet similar in number.
Feltner’s Pitching
During this three-game series, the pitching matchup will be huge and will most likely determine the outcome of who wins the series. The Rockies have allowed 317 runs this season, which adds up to a 5.19 ERA. For the Reds, they’ve allowed 249 runs, equaling a 3.98 ERA. In game one of this series, Ryan Feltner will take the mound for Colorado. Although he’s put up a 1-4 record, the Rockies right-handed pitcher has put some quality starts this past month. In his 11 starts, the 27-year-old starter has recorded a 5.46 ERA through 59 and one-third innings pitched. He’s given up 40 runs this season while striking out 49 batters. The Rockies starter should certainly have more wins underneath his belt. However, the offense or the bullpen could not come through late in Feltner’s starts.
His last start against the Cleveland Guardians was atrocious. The 27-year-old starter gave up seven runs on eight hits during a 13-7 loss. On Thursday, May 23rd, Feltner went six innings, allowing just four hits before Colorado’s bullpen collapsed during a 10-9 loss to the Oakland Athletics. Two starts earlier, the Rockies starter gave up two runs on five hits during an 8-3 victory against the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers. Feltner certainly has what it takes to throw a quality outing; he needs the support of his bullpen and the offense sometimes. These two teams will look to one-up each other in this series as much as possible. Both want to dig out of last place in their respective division and have young talent looking to prove themselves in any way they can.
Main Photo Credits: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
