Nats travel to Colorado to take on the worst team in baseball
In the third and final road series on this road trip, the Nats will hop on a plane from Pittsburgh and ride the jet stream into Denver, Colorado. In the same way, we’ll hopefully see a James Wood homer ride the jet stream into the Coors Field seats.
The Nationals are coming off a pair of tough series on this road trip and need to take care of business against a struggling Rockies team. This is the kind of matchup they have to capitalize on. The schedule doesn’t get any easier once they return home, with the Orioles and Mets up next. Now is the time to get the offense going and stack some wins.
Pirates and Nationals clear the benches after Jorge Lopez throws a pitch near Andrew McCutchen’s head. Lopez was ejected. Oneil Cruz had to hold back Tommy Pham pic.twitter.com/ZOZxmkxTLi
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 17, 2025
The Rockies come into this series on a six game losing streak and tote the worst record in baseball (3-15). Little has gone right for the purple and black in the Mile High city. Starting with pitching, the Rockies are dead last in the MLB with having the worst team ERA (5.29), WHIP (1.59) and BAA (.290).
On offense, through 18 games they also sport last place in runs scored (52). While being 21st in batting average (.220) and 24th in on base percentage (.285). The only bright spot for the Rockies is Center Fielder Brenton Doyle, the former 4th round pick is red hot to start this year. Doyle has a batting average of (.315) with 3 HRs and 12 RBIs and a slugging percentage of (.537).
Friday’s game between the Nationals and Rockies has been postponed due to rain. It will now be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday.
PROJECTED STARTERS
GAME ONE: SATURDAY 4:10pm EST
WASHINGTON: RHP Jake Irvin (1-0)
2025 Stats:
- 23.0 IP
- 3.91 ERA
- 1.22 WHIP
- 18 SO
In his last outing Irvin yielded 3 hits and 1 walk over 7 scoreless innings vs the Pirates. 58 of his 87 pitches were strikes. Facing another dud offense Irvin should produce a similar result.
COLORADO: RHP Antonio Senzatela (0-3)
2025 Stats:
- 18.1 IP
- 5.89 ERA
- 2.18 WHIP
- 7 SO
Senzatela got lit up in his last performance vs the Dodgers, giving up home runs to Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani. The start before that he gave up 9 runs to the Brewers. Senzatela has not been completely bad so far this season. In first two starts he had scoreless performances. Well see which Antonio Senzatela shows up to Coors Field on Sunday.
GAME TWO: Sunday 3:10pm EST
WASHINGTON: RHP Brad Lord (0-1)
2025 Stats:
- 9.1 IP
- 4.82 ERA
- 1.93 WHIP
- 5 SO
Against the Pirates we saw Lord go the longest in any game this year, 4.1 innings. Giving up 6 hits and walking 3 batters. Still the Nats spot starter it will be interesting to see how long the leash is against one of the worst offenses in baseball.
COLORADO: LHP Kyle Freeland (0-3)
2025 Stats:
- 24.0 IP
- 4.88 ERA
- 1.21 WHIP
- 17 SO
Freeland gave up 5 runs in his last outing vs the Padres making it through 5 innings. In his first four starts to this season he has gone at least 5 innings. So if he gets rocked at least he’s eating innings for the Rockies.
GAME THREE: Sunday 8:20pm EST
WASHINGTON: LHP Mackenzie Gore (1-2)
2025 Stats:
- 23 IP
- 3.52 ERA
- 1.26 WHIP
- 32 SO
In Gores last outing he used 105 pitches against the Marlins allowing four runs and three walks in 6 innings. Still leading the National League in strikeouts (32) Gore looks to get back to the pitcher we saw in his first couple of starts earlier this year. Especially, with this bad Rockies offense.
COLORADO: RHP Chase Dollander (1-1)
2025 Stats:
- 10.2 IP
- 5.06 ERA
- 1.22 WHIP
- 13 SO
Hollander had a decent outing in his last start against San Diego allowing two runs on three hits through 5.2 innings. The Rockies stagnate offense gave him no support in his first MLB loss.
Let’s hope the Nationals don’t fall into the trap of sipping the Colorado Kool-Aid. They have to take at least two out of three against the Rockies. With Colorado’s pitching staff struggling and the game being played in one of the most hitter-friendly parks in baseball, this series is a prime opportunity to get the offense going again. They need to take full advantage.