Colorado Rockies vs Milwaukee Brewers

Once a foregone conclusion, the Colorado Rockies are in danger of falling out of their second playoff bid in three seasons as the Atlanta Braves are hot on their heels.

The Rockies (88-68) have not exactly helped themselves after a recent series loss to the woeful San Diego Padres, but have been unable to shake the Braves in the wild-card race.

With another win by Atlanta on Monday night, Colorado’s magic number remains at five and they are hoping that the Braves do not catch fire much like the Rockies did in 2007, earning themselves a playoff berth with a phenomenal September and losing just once on their way to their first World Series in franchise history.

The Rockies still control their own destiny as they prepare for the first of three games that ends the home portion of their regular season schedule with the Milwaukee Brewers (77-79).

Once a sure thing, Jason Marquis has struggled recently and looks to turn things around in the all important final week of the regular season. Marquis (15-12, 3.98) has hit the skids, going 1-4 with a 6.49 ERA over his last six starts, including 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA as the season has wound down.

Marquis has also struggled against Milwaukee, though he has not faced them this year, going 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA in three games, two of those starts.

The Rockies have won 10 of their last 13 meetings with the Brewers (77-79), including a three-game road sweep from June 9-11 — the clubs only previous matchups this season. Colorados won six of seven against Milwaukee at Coors Field.

Milwaukee was in a position to go to the postseason last year and had to fend off a couple of spoilers to clinch a spot in the last weekend of the year. The Brewers went to their second ever postseason and first since 1982 last year, but was ousted quickly, in four games, by the future World Series champion, Philadelphia Phillies.

After losing plenty of key players off last year’s team, including C.C. Sabathia, the Brewers took a step back this season and, except for a brief flirtation in and around first place in early June, was never a factor in the race this season.

Now playing the role of the spoiler, Milwaukee turns to Chris Narveson (2-0, 3.82) in his first ever appearance against Colorado. Narveson has been strong in the new starting role after spending the season in the bullpen. He is 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings. Though he has received two no-decisions the Brewers are 3-0 in his starts, including his first win when he allowed a run and struck out 10 in 5 2/3 innings over the Chicago Cubs.

The Rockies swept a three-game series in Milwaukee in early June, the only time the teams have met this season.

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