SCOTTSDALE, Ariz — Tyler Matzek, who will start the season on a big-league roster for the first time, will do it at Coors Field. The Rockies’ left-hander on Tuesday was named Colorado’s home-opening starter for a game April 10 against the visiting Cubs.
“I’m excited. It’s going to be a great game. It’s a huge opportunity,” Matzek said. “Not many guys can say they started a home-opener. I just want to start the season off at home with a ‘W.’ I’ll give it my all.”
Matzek on Tuesday threw four innings against the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out two and walked two. The Rockies fell to the Giants 4-3 in the Cactus League game.
“We feel good about him being out there,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “Matzek can pitch off the barrel in different ways, with a very good breaking ball and a good fastball that he can stick on the inside of the plate against righties. He’s got stuff. And when he commands that stuff, he’s tough on any lineup anywhere.”
Matzek threw a complete-game shutout of the Padres at Coors Field on Sept. 5, part of his 22-inning scoreless streak. In his rookie season, he went 6-11 with a 4.05 ERA over 20 games (117 2/3 innings).
“I enjoy big games,” Matzek said. “You don’t get them often. But I’ll try not to put too much pressure on myself. My catcher back there, either Nick (Hundley) or Mac (Michael McKenry), they’ll be the ones keeping me calm and in the zone.”
Matzek said he’s not concerned about Coors Field’s hitter-friendly reputation — in part because he’s not afraid to allow fly balls.
“Everyone talks about the whole altitude thing. But the game is really about the 60 feet between the rubber and the plate,” Matzek said. “If you can get a guy to miss-hit the ball, it can go just over the fence or a mile out or just inside the park. You have to make pitches so he doesn’t barrel the ball and really be able to hit it.”
“It comes down to executing pitches. It’s really that simple. Not letting the whole altitude thing get in your head and shying away from giving up a fly ball because you think everything needs to be on the ground. You can get pop fly outs there, just not deep ones.”
Jorge De La Rosa was originally named the Rockies home-opening starter. But a groin injury will likely force him to start the season on the disabled list.
Tags: Coors Field, Tyler Matzek
