Hot Dodgers offense faces hot Rockies pitching in Coors opener

The Dodgers scored more runs per game than any other National League team in July, and they start August with three games beginning on Tuesday night against the Rockies in the offensive haven of Coors Field.

At 5.25 runs per game, the Dodgers were tops in the NL in July, and fifth in the majors in run scoring, behind only the Angels, Twins, Red Sox and Blue Jays.

The Dodgers scored 21 runs in three games in Denver earlier this season (Apr. 22-24), and scored 55 runs in nine games at Coors Field in 2015. They also scored 61 runs in 10 games there in 2014, and 60 runs in nine games in Denver in 2013. That's 6.35 runs per game since the start of 2013 on the road against the Rockies.

But they face a red-hot Rockies team, trying to force their way into at least wild card contention with nine wins in their last 11 games.

Run prevention has been key for Colorado of late, allowing three or fewer runs in nine of their last 11 games, with 29 runs in total allowed during that span, just 2.64 runs per game.

Rockies starting pitchers had a 3.59 ERA in 27 game in July, a month that included 11 home games.

Jon Gray, the Rockies' first-round pick in 2013, the third overall selection that year, has been a workhorse at the top of the rotation, lasting at least six innings in 14 of his last 16 starts, averaging 6.31 innings per start since May 1.

Gray has what Eno Sarris at FanGraphs called "five legit pitches."

The right-hander also averages more than a strikeout per inning this season, including 14 strikeouts in 11 innings in two starts against the Dodgers. Though LA has also scored eight runs on 13 hits against Gray in 2016, including three home runs.

Brandon McCarthy gets the start for the Dodgers, making just his third career start at Coors Field, and his first since April 5, 2014 while with Arizona.

Game info

Time: 5:40 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA