Series Preview: Dodgers at Rockies April 5-6

Los Angeles Dodgers (3-1) at Colorado Rockies (1-1)
April 5-6

Games: 5-6
Location: Coors Field
2011 record vs. Rockies: N/A
2010 record vs. Rockies: 11-7

2010: The Dodgers took two of three games in the first three series' against the Rockies in 2010, jumping out to a 6-3 record. The Rockies managed to get the record even at 7-7 before the Dodgers won their final four games against Colorado. Clayton Kershaw threw seven shutout innings on Aug. 17 to continue his absolutely dominant second half.

Game 1: Clayton Kershaw vs. Jhoulys Chacin
Kershaw career vs. Rockies: 5-3, 3.63 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 9.37 K/9, .227 BAA
Chacin career vs. Dodgers: 3-3, 2.84 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 8.05 K/9, .254 BAA

The best Rockies' hitters vs. Kershaw
Dexter Fowler - .368/.478/.526, 1 3B, 4:5 BB/K ratio
Jason Giambi - 2-for-6, 2 2B, 2:2 BB/K ratio

Carlos Gonzalez is 2-for-12 (.167), Troy Tulowitzki is 5-for-27 (.185), Ryan Spilborghs is 6-for-27 (.222) and Todd Helton is 5-for-21 lifetime against Kershaw.

The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Chacin
Andre Ethier - .500/.583/.700, 2 2B, 2:0 BB/K ratio
James Loney - .333/.421/.467, 2 2B, 3:2 BB/K ratio

Juan Uribe is 0-for-9, Matt Kemp is 3-for-17 (.176) and Jamey Carroll is 2-for-11 (.182) lifetime against Chacin.

Game 2: Chad Billingsley vs. Jason Hammel
Billingsley career vs. Rockies: 2-4, 4.88 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 7.48 K/9, .264 BAA
Hammel career vs. Dodgers: 1-1, 3.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 7.13 K/9, .259 BAA

The best Rockies' hitters vs. Billingsley
Helton - .350/.458/.600, 1 HR, 4:3 BB/K ratio
Tulowitzki - .261/.320/.435, 1 HR, 2:3 BB/K ratio

Ian Stewart is 1-for-10 (.100), Seth Smith is 1-for-9 (.111) and Chris Iannetta is 1-for-7 (.143) lifetime against Billingsley.

The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Hammel
Jamey Carroll - 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2:1 BB/K ratio
Andre Ethier - .286/.375/.571, 1 HR, 2:7 BB/K ratio

Juan Uribe is 2-for-15 (.133), Matt Kemp and Tony Gwynn are each 3-for-13 (.231) and James Loney is 4-for-17 (.235) lifetime against Hammel.

Analysis: In an early-season short series, the Dodgers seem to have the advantage in both games. However, Chacin is a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter and Hammel has had success against the Dodgers. The games are being played in Coors Field, which is always a wild card. Kershaw has given up six of his 31 career home runs allowed and Billingsley has a 14:17 K/BB ratio at Coors.

Prediction: It can go either way, but I'm predicting another split, with Kershaw out dueling Chacin in the first game.

Next meeting: May 30 through June 1 at Dodger Stadium