Let's take a look at the projected pitching matchups for the series against the Colorado Rockies.
Monday, September 27, RHP Josiah Gray (1-2, 5.92 ERA) vs. RHP German Marquez (12-10, 4.32 ERA) | First Pitch: 8:40 pm
Gray gets the first start of this series for Washington looking to build on his previous outing. Prior to his September 22nd outing, Gray had given up five or more runs in four straight starts but settled in for six innings and eight strikeouts in his last start. Gray pitched against the Rockies a few weeks ago where he went 5.1 innings and gave up five runs.
Marquez will face Gray for the second time in as many weeks Monday night. Marquez had a solid start to September where he only gave up two runs in his first two starts combined. In his last two, however, he has given up six and five runs in those. For the month, he has an ERA of 6.16 to this point. Against Washington in his career, Marquez has four appearances with an ERA of 7.77.
The game can be seen on MASN and heard on 106.7, the Fan.
Tuesday, September 28, LHP Patrick Corbin (9-15, 5.92 ERA) vs. LHP Kyle Freeland (6-8, 4.50 ERA) | First Pitch: 8:40 pm
In the second game, Patrick Corbin will get the start for Washington. Corbin, who has struggled all season, has actually found somewhat of a groove in September. In four starts, his ERA is 4.01 this month compared to 5.92 on the season. The one outlier is a start against this Rockies club where Corbin went four innings and gave up six runs. In 24 appearances against Colorado, Corbin has an ERA of 4.78.
(Related Article: Where has the 2019 Patrick Corbin gone? Or was it ever there?)
Facing Corbin will be another lefty in Kyle Freeland who also pitched the last time these two teams faced. His September has been shaky with a 5.79 ERA over the course of his five starts. However, when he pitched against the Nationals he threw seven shutout innings while giving up seven hits. In his five career appearances against Washington, Freeland has an ERA of 1.95.
Wednesday, September 29, RHP Paolo Espino (5-5, 4.01 ERA) vs. RHP Peter Lambert (0-0, 4.91 ERA) | First Pitch: 3:10 pm
Espino will get the final start of this series as he looks to build on his solid September. In five starts this month, Espino has an ERA of 3.67. He has also pitched five or more innings in each outing, including six innings on September 13th against Miami. On the 19th, Espino pitched 5.2 shutout innings against the Rockies with seven strikeouts.
The final pitcher for the Rockies will be the young 24-year-old Peter Lambert who will be making his second start of 2021. In 2019 Lambert made 19 starts where he pitched to an ERA of 7.25 as a 22-year-old rookie. He pitched against the Nationals in 2019 where he threw 5.1 innings and gave up three runs.
Series Notes: Colorado Rockies
- At 71-84 the Rockies are 4th in the NL West, 30.5 games behind the Giants.
- The Rockies have won 3 of their last 9 games.
- First baseman C.J. Cron leads the Rockies in batting average, home runs, RBI, and OBP.
- The Rockies team ERA is 4.77, led by starters German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela.