Colorado @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 17, 2011 ) Milwaukee 4, Colorado 3

THE STORY: The Milwaukee Brewers own a comfortable lead in the National League Central, but they still have plenty to play for as they begin a two-game mini-series against the visiting Colorado Rockies. Milwaukee halted a five-game losing skid with a narrow victory over Philadelphia on Sunday, while the Rockies are coming off back-to-back victories over the Cincinnati Reds. Zack Greinke looks for his 15th win of the season against struggling Colorado counterpart Esmil Rogers.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, RT, FSWI

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Esmil Rogers (6-5, 6.26 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zack Greinke (14-6, 3.93 ERA)

Rogers has posted decidedly mixed results since becoming a fixture in the starting rotation at the end of July. The 26-year-old began with three straight victories but has gone 0-4 in his last five outings, posting a 6.83 ERA in that span. Rogers has made one career start against Milwaukee, earning a no-decision after allowing four runs over 5 2/3 innings.

Aside from a minor hiccup in a start against Pittsburgh three weeks ago, Greinke has been in fine form down the stretch. The 27-year-old has allowed two or fewer runs in 11 of his last 12 starts, trimming his ERA by more than a run and a half as a result. Greinke is 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA in five career games against Colorado, with 30 strikeouts in just 22 2/3 frames.

ABOUT THE ROCKIES (69-77): Colorado will miss out on a post-season spot this season, but no one can blame shortstop Troy Tulowitzki for that. The 26-year-old is enjoying a career year, bouncing back nicely after missing nearly a quarter of the 2010 season due to injury. Tulowitzki has been especially hot of late, driving in 11 runs over his past seven games to reach the 100-RBI plateau for the first time. Milwaukee has been completely unable to contain Tulowitzki; he's batting .406 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs in 25 games against them. Rockies hitters are a collective .295 vs. Greinke, with Jason Giambi (7-for-21, 5 HR, 11 RBI) enjoying tremendous success against him.

ABOUT THE BREWERS (86-62): Milwaukee's recent struggles made the NL Central race a little tighter - the Brewers saw their advantage over St. Louis trimmed to 6 1/2 games. Yet, with just three weeks left in the regular season, it would take a monumental collapse for Milwaukee to give up top spot. Of greater concern to the Brewers now is the potential for a top-two spot when the playoffs begin - a development that would ensure home-field advantage in the divisional series. Milwaukee enters the day tied with the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks for the No. 2 seed. Brewers batters have a .364 average against Rogers.

FINAL PITCH: Milwaukee has won five of seven meetings this season, including a home sweep in May.