The June swoon for the Colorado Rockies (25-46) hasn’t been kind to the team. This month they have a 4-11 record with a 6.63 ERA as a team. Offensively the team is still trying to find a groove but they are hitting .254/.304/.398 this month, however much of that is thanks to a stellar offensive game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. In their last series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, the Rockies managed to pull of a strong win in game one but saw their offense disappear in games two and three of the series, really setting them on the offensive funk they have been in since then.

The Dodgers on the other hand continue to sit comfortably at the top of the NL West division with a 44-29 record. Led by Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Shohei Ohtani the Dodgers have enjoyed plenty of offensive production from their lineup but still remain an imcomplete team in other areas. The injury bug has reared its nasty head for the Dodgers as Yoshinobu Yamamoto was placed on the injured list with an arm injury while Betts was struck in the hand by a pitch over the weekend. Still, the team has had a history of strong depth and have turned out a 20-14 record on the road.

Pitching Probables

6/17: Cal Quantrill (6-4, 3.30 ERA) vs. James Paxton (6-1, 3.92)

Since the beginning of May, Cal Quantrill has been one of the best pitchers in the NL allowing two or less runs in all but one start. That start, coincidentily came against the Dodgers where he allowed four runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings of work. Quantrill makes his sixth start at Coors Field where he owns a 3.72 ERA in 29 innings of work.

James Paxton has benefited quite a bit from the Dodgers this season as he owns a 6-1 record while his performance has varied. He enters the game fresh off a start where he allowed one run on two hits over six innings against the Texas Rangers.

6/18: Austin Gomber (1-4, 4.26) vs. Walker Buehler (1-4, 4.64)

After a stellar start to the season, Gomber has struggled in his past couple starts. Since having his final start in May pushed back due to arm injury concerns, Gomber has not been as crisp as he was. In his last start against the Minnesota Twins he last justed three innings, giving up eight runs on 11 hits.

Walker Buehler hasn’t been as dominant as he was before his arm injury. This season he’s been adequate allowing no more than three earned runs in a given start. He has thrown six innings just twice this season and in his previous start he gave up two runs on seven hits in five innings of work.

6/19: Ryan Feltner (1-6, 5.71) vs. Bobby Miller (1-1, 5.40)

Ryan Feltner has continued to struggled this season as inconsistencies are a constant. June has been difficult as he’s allowed 16 runs, 12 earned, in 16 1/3 innings of work. He turned in a better performance against the Pirates, tossing 6 1/3 innings and giving up four runs, but was tagged for three home runs.

Bobby Miller hasn’t pitched since the end of April, having dealt with shoulder inflammation and he is making his fourth start the season and first since April 10 after making a rehab start on June 7.

6/20: Ty Blach (3-4, 4.65) vs. TBD

Since joing the rotation, Ty Blach has been solid and serviceable even if it hasn’t been outstanding. Since May 24 he has worked at least five innings in each start while not giving up more than four runs in a given start. He allows plenty of hits but is able to combat it with plenty of ground balls. The Dodgers are a more aggressive team in the zone, something Blach will have to keep an eye on.

Players to watch

Ezequiel Tovar has been on a tear since May while being one of the Rockies’ best hitters this season. On the year he’s batting .290/.318/.491 with 22 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs and 34 RBI.

In his return from the injured list for the Pirates series, Nolan Jones drew five walks while going 4-for-8 including a three-hit game. The season has been rough for Jones and the Rockies are hoping he can return to the production he showed in 2023.

Freddie Freeman is 12-for-36 with three doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games for the Dodgers.

Injuries

Rockies: Brenton Doyle: day-to-day (patella), Elias Diaz: 10-Day IL (calf), Brendan Rodgers: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Sean Bouchard: 10-Day IL (ankle), Kris Bryant: 10-Day IL (rib), Justin Lawrence: 15-Day IL (arm), Jordan Beck: 10-Day IL (wrist), Kyle Freeland: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jake Bird: 15-Day IL (elbow), Lucas Gilbreath: 60-Day IL (elbow), Daniel Bard: 60-Day IL (knee), German Marquez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Antonio Senzatela: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Dodgers: Mookie Betts: day-to-day (hand), Joe Kelly: 60-Day IL (posterior), Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 15-Day IL (tricep), Michael Grove: 15-Day IL (lat), Ryan Brasier: 60-Day IL (calf), Connor Brogdon: 60-Day IL (foot), Max Muncy: 10-Day IL (oblique), Kyle Hurt: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Bobby Miller: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Brusdar Graterol: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Emmet Sheehan: 60-Day IL (forearm), Clayton Kershaw: 60-Day IL (elbow), Tony Gonsolin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Dustin May: 60-Day IL (elbow)