The Colorado Rockies will close out their series against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 22 at Coors Field, looking to salvage a win in what has been a frustrating season defined by inconsistency and injuries. With a record deep below .500, the Rockies are again staring down the barrel of a last-place finish in the NL West, and while they’ve embraced a youth movement across the roster, their lack of pitching depth and defensive lapses continue to plague them. Rookie right-hander Bradley Blalock is expected to get the start, and while he’s flashed potential with a solid fastball-changeup mix, his command and poise will be tested against a veteran-laden St. Louis lineup. Pitching at altitude is never easy, especially for young arms, and Blalock will need early run support and clean defense behind him if he hopes to last through the middle innings. Offensively, the Rockies have been carried in bursts by players like Ezequiel Tovar, Brenton Doyle, and Ryan McMahon, who continue to produce despite limited lineup protection. Still, Colorado remains near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories, including runs per game, home runs, and team OPS—even at the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field. Injuries to key contributors and a lack of consistent power from the corners have hindered their ability to sustain rallies. Defensively, the Rockies rank among the worst in errors committed and fielding percentage, issues that tend to magnify in tight, late-game situations.

Their bullpen has been taxed heavily, particularly during high-scoring games at home, and they’ll enter this contest without many fresh arms, which could be a liability against a methodical Cardinals lineup. Still, Colorado has shown occasional fight in series finales at home, leaning on the energy of the Denver crowd and the unpredictability of the Coors environment to steal a win. If they’re to do that Sunday, they’ll need to strike early and often, ideally putting pressure on St. Louis starter Erick Fedde with a barrage of aggressive baserunning and situational hitting. The Rockies’ path to success involves minimizing mistakes, taking advantage of any defensive lapses by the Cardinals, and managing the game closely from the dugout—something manager Bud Black has experience doing despite the thin margin for error this season. Ultimately, this game represents a chance for younger Rockies to continue showcasing their development while the front office evaluates which pieces may form part of the long-term rebuild. While expectations are low, the Rockies have occasionally played spoiler in these late-July series, and a hot start combined with a few timely hits could be enough to create doubt in a more experienced, but sometimes streaky, Cardinals team. The key will be whether the Rockies can stay competitive after the fifth inning, where they’ve repeatedly let games slip away due to poor relief outings and defensive miscues. If Blalock can keep the game within reach and the bats produce early, the Rockies could end the weekend on a rare high note.