The Colorado Rockies (7-34) are 0-1 in the Warren Schaeffer era, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying on Monday night against the Texas Rangers (21-21). A key component was a phenomenal start by rookie Chase Dollander against a seasoned arm in Tyler Mahle. Now, entering Tuesday night, the roles have changed and it will be an established veteran facing off against a younger arm.
Kyle Freeland (0-5, 6.41 ERA) has not been effective this season. The all-time starts leader in franchise history has been roughed up, allowing three or more runs in all but one start this season. That one start came on Opening Day when he tossed six shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. Since then, it has been a mixed bag with a common theme of getting hit hard.
In his last outing against the Detroit Tigers, Freeland surrendered nine runs (five earned) on 11 hits over three innings. Bad defense played a role behind him, but the fact of the matter is that he is giving up an obscene amount of contact. He has allowed seven or more hits in all but two of his eight starts. He isn’t walking many, but isn’t striking out many while also giving up a career-high 33.3% line drive rate, nearly 10% higher than the league average. With the expanse of the Rangers’ field venue, he’ll have to find a way to limit the cheap hits.
Jack Leiter (2-2, 5.09 ERA) will take the mound for the Rangers. The former second overall pick has struggled in his brief big league career and has battled some inconsistency this season. In five starts, he has worked more than five innings just once, going 5 1⁄3 in his previous outing against Boston, allowing four runs on three hits. The biggest obstacle for Leiter has been the lapses in his command. In that start against Boston, he issued four walks and hit a batter. The elevated pitch count has kept him from going deeper into games a lot of the time. His best start came on April 2 when he threw five scoreless innings against the Reds, giving up just one hit and striking out six.
The Rockies’ offense will need to show some patience and make the inexperienced pitcher work and then take advantage when he’s over the plate.
First Pitch: 6:05 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.tv
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
Lineups:
★ ★ ★
Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!