The Rockies’ shortstop usage is starting to tell a story, and Saturday only adds another chapter.
Ezequiel Tovar is back in the lineup against left-hander Matthew Liberatore, one day after Colorado left him out against righty Andrew Pallante. It’s the third straight game against a right-hander that Tovar has sat, and each time a lefty has started, he’s been back at shortstop. That pattern is getting tough to ignore.
Colorado is also trying to shake off Friday’s 7-6 loss to the Cardinals, a game that slipped away after the Rockies had built momentum late. St.
Louis manager was ejected, a controversial call at the plate broke Colorado’s way, and still the Rockies couldn’t finish the job. They finished with 11 hits, got six innings and four runs from Ryan Feltner, then watched the bullpen give up the lead.
Now the Rockies turn to Mason Adams, who will make his third MLB start. The right-hander has a 3.00 ERA with 10 strikeouts through his first two big league outings, and since the organization selected him from Triple-A Albuquerque on August 25, he has allowed just four earned runs over 12 innings. Colorado will be looking for that early promise to hold up again.
First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. MT at Coors Field, where the Rockies will try to even the series with several lineup tweaks in place.
Tovar isn’t the only regular out against Liberatore. Mickey Moniak and Zac Veen are both sitting, while Jordan Beck returns in right field.
McCarthy moves from center to left, and Carrigg takes over in center. Carrigg also drew the start at shortstop on Friday with Tovar on the bench.
Norby gets a bump near the top of the order, moving all the way to No. 2 and giving Colorado another right-handed bat early in the lineup.
On the other side, Liberatore brings a 5-13 record, a 5.41 ERA and 141 strikeouts into the matchup. The numbers say Colorado should have a chance on the mound, but they’ll need to make that edge count. Liberatore can still miss bats, so the Rockies will have to force him into trouble early.
Herrera is the Cardinals bat that jumps off the page after his three-run homer on Friday decided the game. Keeping him quiet is a major assignment for Adams.
For Colorado, the formula is pretty clear: get McCarthy or Norby on ahead of Goodman and let the middle of the order do damage. Goodman remains the hitter opponents have to circle first; he’s the power source in the lineup and the one who can change the game in a hurry.
Saturday at Coors Field is about more than just the standings in this series. Adams gets another chance to build his case, Carrigg gets another look in center, and Tovar’s lefty-righty usage keeps looking more and more like a real plan.
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