Colorado Rockies game no. 76 thread: DJ Herz vs. Dakota Hudson

The Rockies are 2-5 on this homestand. Can they end on a high note vs. the Nationals?

Entering their longest homestand of the season, the hopes were high that the Rockies could add some tallies to the win column, but being at Coors Field against the Pirates and Dodgers hasn’t translated to victories.

However, despite going 2-5 so far, the Rockies could still put up a .500 homestand with a sweep of the Nationals Friday through Sunday. Considering the Rockies are 26-49 and 3-7 in their last 10 games and Washington is 36-38 and 7-3 in their last 10 games, it could be easier said than done.

The Rockies will try to start the series with a win on Friday night with Dakota Hudson on the mound. Hudson has a 4.39 ERA, a 1.47 WHIP and a 2-9 record in 14 starts. Hudson has frequently been the victim of low-run support. After a rough April when he posted a 6.57 ERA, Hudson rebounded to put up a 3.86 ERA in six starts in May. In three starts in June, he’s at 4.41 and appears to be trending in the right direction in lowering walks and increasing strikeouts. Despite getting charged with two losses in his last two starts, he’s only given up three walks and struck out six without giving up any homers in 12 innings against the Pirates and Twins.

DJ Herz (1-1, 3.77 ERA) will start for the Nationals and make his first appearance at Coors Field. The 23-year-old lefty, who was the eighth overall pick out of the 2019 draft by the Chicago Cubs, made his debut for Washington on June 4. In his first two starts, he didn’t make it past the fifth inning and gave up six runs on 11 hits with five walks and eight strikeouts in 8 ¹⁄₃ innings. In his third start, he was remarkable, holding the Marlins to one hit in six innings with 13 strikeouts for his first career win.

On Friday afternoon, the Rockies number of roster changes due to more injuries. Charlie Blackmon was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain and Adael Amador was also placed on the 10-day IL with a mild oblique strain. Brendan Rodgers was moved back on the roster after recovering from a hamstring injury that landed him on the 10-day IL on June 8. The Rockies called up Sam Hilliard to cover Blackmon’s outfield spot. For more details and news on Kyle Freeland, check out Evan Lang’s injury update.

First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. MDT

TV: Rockies.tv

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Lineups: