LOS ANGELES — With the red-hot Rockies set to take on the division-leading Dodgers tonight for the first of a three-game series, both clubs are playing down the matchup.
The Dodgers have no reason to acknowledge the Rockies as a threat. They have beaten them eight times in nine games this season.
And Dodgers manager Joe Torre admitted today: “Regardless of what happens, if we win the series it’s not going to change how they think about themselves or affect either team’s pysche.”
Perhaps. But in this month-long redemption tour, it wouldn’t hurt the Rockies to stare down the division bully, take a punch and give one back.
The last time the Rockies and Dodgers faced one another the Rockies were last in the NL West.
But Colorado (40-35) is looking for its fourth straight win and trying to gain even more ground on the Dodgers (48-28). They trail L.A. by 7 1/2 games in the NL West standings.
The Rockies were outscored 31-13 in a three-game set at Coors Field in late May against the Dodgers. Jim Tracy was hired two days after the series.
The Rockies have 20 wins in their last 23 contests.
The Dodgers have lost four of their last five.
Atkins in the lineup
The Rockies will go with Garrett Atkins at third base as his hot-hitting earned him another start.
Ramirez on the horizon
All the talk in Torre’s pregame press conference centered around the Friday return of Manny Ramirez from his drug suspension.
Ramirez will DH tomorrow in a minor-league game. Torre expects Ramirez to be a little tense in San Diego on Friday, but acknowledged that his team could use the offensive lift.
Footnotes
Yorvit Torrealba will be in L.A. today to be examined by the Rockies’ trainer. If he checks out, Torrealba will be activated Tuesday.
…Manager Jim Tracy also admitted that Franklin Morales, who pitched well for Triple-A Colorado Springs last night, will be considered for both a rotation and relief role in the big leagues.
Tonight’s lineups
Rockies
CF Fowler
2B Barmes
1B Helton
3B Atkins
RF Hawpe
SS Tulowitzki
LF Spilborghs
C Iannetta
RHP Jimenez
Dodgers
LF Pierre (who will go to the bench when Manny returns)
SS Furcal
2B Hudson
3B Blake
RF Ethier
CF Kemp
1B Loney
C Martin
LHP Wolf
