Chicago @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( May 18, 2010 ) Colorado 2, Chi. Cubs 6

Now that they have a win under their belts, perhaps the Colorado Rockies can get themselves back in the race in the National League West.

The Rockies will be looking to start a winning streak when open up a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

One of the hottest teams in the majors at the beginning of July, Colorado climbed to within a game of the first-place San Diego Padres in the West and were just two games back at the All-Star break. But something happened to the club’s momentum over the break, and the Rockies fell off a cliff.

Colorado lost its first two series out of the break and then watched its offense abandon the club during a season-worst eight-game slide. The Rockies averaged a little more than two runs per game during the slide and were outscored 43-18 to drop nine games behind the Padres and into fourth place in the West.

They finally broke out on Thursday, getting home runs from Carlos Gonzalez and Brad Hawpe en route to a 9-3 win over the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates. Colorado pounded out 15 hits in the rout, getting three from Dexter Fowler and two apiece from Gonzalez, Clint Barmes, Melvin Mora and Miguel Olivo.

With the trade deadline approaching on Saturday, the Rockies began to move from buyers to sellers during their skid, taking calls from other teams on Hawpe and a number of relievers. Always strong finishers, Colorado will probably play it safe at the deadline and try to stay in the race.

Looking to keep the winning going will be left-hander Jeff Francis (3-3). The veteran has been decent of late, allowing five runs in 17 total innings over his last three starts. Francis has boosted his strikeout numbers over his last two outings, punching out 13 batters against one walk in 12 frames.

He has no record in five career starts against the Cubs but has been knocked around, posting an 8.77 ERA and allowing 40 hits in 25 2/3 innings.

Chicago is trying to be a player at the deadline, pushing starters Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano as a way to get some salary relief. The team reportedly had a deal in place to send first baseman Derrek Lee to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but Lee exercised his 10-and-5 rights to veto the move.

One player likely to still be around after the deadline for the Cubs will be right-hander Ryan Dempster (8-7), who gets the start on Friday. The veteran has been solid if unspectacular all season, allowing three earned runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 games.

Dempster has made 16 career appearances – nine starts – against the Rockies in his career, going 5-3 with a 6.46 ERA.