Colorado @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2012 ) San Diego 2, Colorado 0

The bottom two teams in the National League West meet for a three-game series when last-place Colorado visits San Diego. The Rockies are 11-26 over their last 37 games and fading fast with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and first baseman Todd Helton both on the disabled list. San Diego has won five of its seven games since the All-Star break, and its bullpen has allowed just three runs over 23 innings, posting a 1.17 ERA over the last eight games.

The Padres are 5-4 against the Rockies this season, and both teams figure to look quite different when they meet again in late August. San Diego is reportedly shopping several key players - including third baseman Chase Headley, who has drawn interest from as many as 10 teams with the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline fast approaching. Headley is batting .266 with 14 homers and 46 RBIs, and the Padres have plenty of internal options to fill his spot at third base. The Rockies don’t figure to be as active at the trade deadline, although closer Rafael Betancourt could be moved if the team receives a strong offer.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), Fox Sports San Diego (San Diego)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Drew Pomeranz (1-4, 3.79 ERA) vs. Padres RH Jason Marquis (2-5, 3.62)

Pomeranz is seeking his first career win over the Padres after going 0-2 with a 3.00 ERA in two earlier starts this season. He’s shown improvement over his last six starts, going 1-3 with a 2.90 ERA in six starts covering 31 innings. Pomeranz has the lowest opponent average among all Rockies pitchers with at least 10 innings pitched, holding opponents to a .223 clip.

Being released by the Twins earlier this season has worked out well for Marquis, who has a 46-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 49 2/3 innings since joining the Padres. He snapped a five-game winless streak last Sunday against the Dodgers, giving up two runs in six innings. Marquis, who pitched for Colorado in 2009,is 5-5 with a 4.15 ERA in 15 career appearances (13 starts) against the Rockies.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego CF Cameron Maybin (right wrist soreness) is listed as day-to-day after missing his second straight game on Thursday.

2. 1B Todd Helton (hip) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment this weekend with the Rockies' rookie league affiliate.

3. Padres C Yasmani Grandal threw out Marwin Gonzalez trying to steal second base on Thursday after going 0-for-17 to start his career.