DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies will have one of their rare meetings with the Tampa Bay Rays when the teams begin a three-game series Monday at Coors Field. The teams last met in 2013, with the Rockies losing two of three games at Coors Field.
That was the fourth series between the teams at Coors Field. The only time they played at Tropicana Park was in 2004 when the Rockies were swept in a three-game series.
The Rays will be trying to break a 10-game losing streak on the road, tied for the third-longest in franchise history. Tampa is 16-26 on the road this season and is embarking on a nine-game trip in 10 days that will also include four games at Oakland and two in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
The Rays dropped two of three at home to Baltimore to begin play after the All-Star break. They broke an eight-game losing streak with their 5-2 win Sunday. It was just their second win in 14 games and fourth in the past 28.
Left-hander Drew Smyly will start for the Rays Monday. He is 2-10 with a 5.47 ERA and tied his career high with his 10th loss July 6 against the Angels in his last start. He began the season 1-3 with a 2.72 ERA in his first six starts and allowed five homers in 39 1/3 innings. But in his past 11 starts, Smyly is 1-7 with a 7.27 ERA and yielded 15 homers in 60 2/3 innings.
A 1-0 loss Sunday at Atlanta prevented the Rockies from sweeping a three-game series with the Braves. Still, they won the series and now need to cash in on a seven-game homestand that will conclude with four games with the Braves following the series with the Rays. The Rockies are 20-22 at home.
Left-hander Tyler Anderson, who is 1-3 with a 3.03 in six career starts, will take the mound for the Rockies. In his last start July 9 against the Phillies, Anderson recorded his first win, first hit and first home run of his career. He has pitched six innings in each of his past three starts and has gone at least that distance in four of his six starts while issuing just six walks with 32 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings.
Rockies manager Walt Weiss cited Anderson's composure and ability to change speeds as reasons for his success.
"He's got a very good changeup he's got a lot of confidence in," Weiss said. "He can throw it at any time -- ahead in the count, behind in the count, get him back in the count. The changeup has been the equalizer for him, but the feel to pitch, command -- put it all together, that's what we've seen from Tyler so far."
Rays outfielder Corey Dickerson will return to Coors Field for the first time since the Rockies traded him and minor league third baseman Kevin Padlo to the Rays on Jan. 28 for left-handed reliever Jake McGee and minor league starter German Marquez.
Dickerson is hitting .223 with 13 homers and 35 RBIs. He had nine hits in a season-high, six-game hitting streak that ended Saturday and is 19-for-62 (.306) over his past 18 games since June 21. In 265 games with the Rockies over the past three seasons, Dickerson hit .299 with 39 homers and 124 RBIs.
"I haven't seen those guys since I got traded," Dickerson said. "So it will be pretty cool to say 'bye' in the right way but also say 'what's up' to the guys and enjoy the time there."
McGee has been a disappointment with the Rockies, going 0-3 with a 6.04 ERA in 30 games and allowing five homers in 25 1/3 innings. He is 15-for-19 in save opportunities but lost the closer's role and then suffered a left knee sprain that sidelined him for three weeks before he returned July 2.
Marquez, 21, and not McGee, who turns 30 on Aug. 6 and can be a free agent after next season, was the key to the deal for the Rockies. At Double-A Hartford, Marquez is 8-5 with a 2.88 ERA in 18 starts with 26 walks and 103 strikeouts in 112 2/3 innings.
Padlo, 20, is hitting .211 with 12 homers and 47 RBIs in 76 games for Low Class A Bowling Green.
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