Blue Jays at Rockies
Although the Colorado Rockies' recent winning streak hasn't done much to help their standing in the National League West, they have repeatedly shown the grit to pull games out late. After yet another thrilling finish Thursday, the surging Rockies attempt to move two games over .500 for only the second time this season Friday when they host the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a three-game interleague set.
Colorado (28-27) could not have asked for a much better slate of opponents during its 10-game homestand (major-league worst Baltimore, an Arizona that has dropped 12 of its last 19 and a Toronto squad that owns the fourth-worst record in the majors) and has taken full advantage of it so far, going 6-1. The Rockies staged their fourth walk-off victory over that stretch in Thursday's 11-10, 10-inning slugfest versus the Diamondbacks, completing a four-game sweep of their division rival on Daniel Murphy's game-winning RBI single. While Colorado enters the final leg of its homestand winners of five straight, the Blue Jays have dropped seven of eight. The Blue Jays are coming off an extra-inning, walk-off affair of their own, losing 4-3 in 11 innings at Tampa Bay on Wednesday for their third straight setback.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), Sportsnet One (Toronto), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Edwin Jackson (0-2, 9.00 ERA) vs. Rockies RH German Marquez (5-2, 3.56)
Jackson was roughed up for the second straight outing Saturday against San Diego, yielding seven runs on seven hits - including three home runs - across four innings. The 35-year-old journeyman's only decent start since he was acquired via trade on May 11 came on the road against San Francisco, as he held the Giants to three runs (two earned) in five frames. Nolan Arenado is 5-for-15 with a homer and four RBIs against Jackson, who is 0-3 with a 12.71 ERA in seven appearances (six starts) at Coors Field.
Marquez remained unbeaten over his last five starts despite an uneven outing Sunday against Baltimore in which he gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk over 6 1/3 innings. The 2018 NL Silver Slugger Award winner, who batted .300 last season, drove in three runs to help his own cause and leads all hurlers with a career-high nine RBIs this season - five more than any other pitcher. Marquez will try to improve on a 2-1 record and 5.40 ERA in six home starts when he faces Toronto for the first time.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rockies are 15-7 at Coors Field since losing their first five home games of the season.
2. Toronto went 2-for-25 with runners in scoring position against the Rays, including 2-for-16 in the series finale.
3. After going 4-for-37 with 11 strikeouts over his first 14 games this month, Murphy is 13-for-34 with three strikeouts in the last 10 contests.