A quick three-game road trip to Los Angeles against the Dodgers saw the Rockies drop two of three against the National League West favorites. After a stellar outing from Dakota Hudson in a 4-1 victory on May 31, the Rockies offense fell flat in the following two games as pitching waivered, but never fully faltered. They have won six of their last nine games before dropping those two straight games to the Dodgers, the first time they’ve lost back-to-back games since May 21.

The Rockies now begin a new series in the comfortable confines of Coors Field where they will host the Cincinnati Reds before heading east to St. Louis on Thursday to kick off a six-game road trip. The Reds enter the series with a 26-33 record and have been surging as of late thanks to some decent pitching and dynamic offense led by Elly De La Cruz. Cincinnati has also won six of its last nine games, which includes a sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers and taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs.

PITCHING PROBABLES:

6/3: Ryan Feltner (1-4, 5.64 ERA) vs. Andrew Abbott (3-5, 3.29 ERA)

Ryan Feltner, an Ohio native, faces off against the Reds for the first time and it will be an instance of whether the Rockies will see Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde from Feltner. Performance has been inconsistent from start to start for him as he will allow seven runs in 4 1/3 innings like his last start, or throw six shutout innings in his start before that. Feltner’s best performances stem from an ability to get strikeouts and miss bats with his power pitches. His secondary change-up and slider have to be deployed more efficiently and and with better command. He faces a tough lineup from the Reds full of lefties that will force him to use the changeup more.

Andrew Abbott is coming off a rougher start in which he gave up six runs in six innings against the Cardinals. Still, the lefty had a strong month of May propelled by an ability to consistently work six innings, limit walks, and get a modest amount of strikeouts. Still, facing a more right-handed lineup could prove troublesome if the Rockies offense can’t show discipline at the plate and extend at-bats.

6/4: Ty Blach (2-2, 4.15 ERA) vs. Frankie Montas (2-4, 4.60 ERA)

Ty Blach has been a tough opponent at Coors Field this season. In his last three starts at home, Blach has allowed just five runs in 18 2/3 innings against the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Guardians. Blach is at his best when throwing strikes and getting quick groundouts.

Frankie Montas has done admirably in his first season with the Reds as his arm health has held up. Montas turned in three quality starts in May and is looking to continue building up momentum as he isn’t one to walk many or get a lot of strikeouts, but has been serviceable in limiting damage and relying on the Reds offense.

6/5: Dakota Hudson (2-7, 5.02 ERA) vs. Graham Ashcraft (4-3, 4.76 ERA)

In his last outing, Hudson held the Dodgers scoreless for six innings and left the game with a couple of runners on base in the seventh, one of which came into score. It was a stellar outing filled with plenty of ground outs as he became the second pitcher in the last 30 years to face three MVPs in the same lineup and hold them 0-for-9 without issuing a walk or hit-by-pitch. He has struggled more at home but has shown flashes of excellence to give the Rockies a chance to win the game.

Graham Ashcraft had a strong season in 2023 before injuries hindered him and leveled him out the rest of the year. This season has been on par with that production where he hasn’t been stellar, but he hasn’t been awful. He struggled in May, allowing less than three runs in just one of his six starts as he pitched into the sixth inning just twice. Pitch count efficiency has been a problem as walks have been the issue for Ashcraft. Still, the Rockies don’t walk much, presenting an opportunity to find his footing as he can focus on getting over the plate and letting the defense do its job behind him.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Elias Diaz leads the Rockies with a .301 batting average and has 10 doubles, four home runs, 11 walks and 24 RBI. Ezequiel Tovarhad a spectacular month of May and is 18-for-43 with a home run and three RBI over the past 10 games.

Elly De La Cruz ranks second on the Reds with 20 extra-base hits (10 doubles, a triple and nine home runs) and continues to be an electric player on the basepaths. His 32 stolen bases are more than the entire Rockies roster. Jeimer Candelario is 10-for-38 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and four RBI over the last 10 games.

INJURIES: Rockies: 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), Nolan Jones: 10-Day IL (back), Daniel Bard: 60-Day IL (knee), German Marquez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Antonio Senzatela: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Reds: Emilio Pagan: 15-Day IL (tricep), Brandon Williamson: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Christian Encarnacion-Strand: 10-Day IL (hand), Ian Gibaut: 60-Day IL (forearm), Tejay Antone: 60-Day IL (elbow), Matt McLain: 60-Day IL (shoulder)