May 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick (38) during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
MM: Can you give us a quick scouting report on the pitchers the Marlins will face this series?
BM: Butler, the Friday night guy, is a power sinker pitcher. He’s thrown better and deeper in games now than he was early in the year, and he can get a lot of ground balls. He can also walk a lot of hitters, and he’s dealt with tons of base runners this season, despite escaping quite a few of his jams.
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On Saturday night, the Miami Marlins will face THE KYLE KENDRICK EXPERIENCE. Why, Bobby, Marlin Maniac readers ask themselves, is that the SAME Kyle Kendrick from the Phillies? Why yes, yes it is! And is he doing well? What do YOU think? (Can you sense my anger yet, guys?)
On Sunday, Jorge De La Rosa takes the hill. He missed the first few weeks of the season with a groin injury, and then had a start pushed back recently after cutting his hand, but he appears to be improving incrementally after a few tough outings in late April. De La Rosa dominates at Coors, and he dominates in day games, so he’s always a guy I circle in the rotation thinking he’ll put the Rox in a position to win games that he starts.
MM: How do you see the series playing out? Any bold predictions?
BM: Honestly, I think the Rockies have a good shot to win two of the three games. De La Rosa and Butler have both been pitching better lately (really, the entire starting rotation has been phenomenal for the past ten days save one or two deficiencies), and the bats have been doing… enough.
Remember, this club was one pitch away from taking three of four from the Dodgers this week (I know, coulda, woulda, shoulda). They settled for a split in the four game series, but some good things happened for the rotation, and the hitters, in that series on top of a dominant road trip last week. You guys are going to tee off on THE KYLE KENDRICK EXPERIENCE, though. Thoughts on how far Stanton can hit a ball off him? I say 499 feet.
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That just about does it for our Rockies series primer. A big thanks to Bobby DeMuro for taking the time to answer our questions, and make sure to check out Rox Pile for all your Colorado Rockies coverage. You can follow Bobby and Rox Pile on Twitter as well.
Follow Marlin Maniac on Twitter @MarlinManiac for all your Miami Marlins news, opinion and analysis!
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