Brenton Doyle Stays Hot as Rockies Host Royals in Series Finale
The Colorado Rockies, riding high on Brenton Doyle’s recent hot streak, are set to face the Kansas City Royals in the finale of their three-game series on Sunday. With Doyle on fire, the Rockies are looking to keep their winning momentum going.
Brenton Doyle’s Impressive Streak
Recent Performance: Brenton Doyle has been on a tear during the Rockies’ homestand. Over the past five games, he’s gone 11-for-17 with four home runs, four doubles, nine RBIs, and four walks. His two-run homer in Saturday’s 3-1 victory was his fourth in five games.
Impact on Team: Doyle’s performance has been a game-changer for the Rockies, who are currently on a three-game winning streak. This marks only the second time this season that Colorado has strung together at least three consecutive wins. “Guys like [Royals ace Seth Lugo] are not easy to face, and he’s been doing really well all year,” Doyle said. “To get a hit like that off him is pretty huge for me, and to fire the team up a little bit.”
Rockies’ Winning Momentum
Team Performance: The Rockies’ win on Saturday extended their streak to three games, a rare feat this season. The last time they had a longer streak was a seven-game run in May. Doyle’s hot bat has boosted his batting average by 22 points in the last five games.
Upcoming Challenges: As the Rockies wrap up a seven-game homestand, they’ll need to carry this momentum on the road to keep the wins coming.
Kansas City Royals’ Struggles
Recent Performance: The Royals are in a slump, having lost three straight games and four of their last five. Their road performance has been especially tough, with a 2-9 record over the past few weeks.
Pitching Matchup: The Royals will start right-hander Brady Singer (4-5, 3.05 ERA) against Rockies right-hander Tanner Gordon. Singer has been winless since May 19 but has shown flashes of brilliance, including a strong outing against the Tampa Bay Rays where he allowed just one run over five innings.
Tanner Gordon’s Major League Debut
Pitcher Profile: Tanner Gordon, a 26-year-old right-hander, is making his major league debut for the Rockies. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2019 and traded to Colorado nearly a year ago, Gordon has made seven starts at Triple-A Albuquerque this season, posting a 2-3 record with a 5.35 ERA.
Manager’s Confidence: Rockies manager Bud Black is confident in Gordon’s readiness despite his Triple-A stats. “Our player development people really like what they’ve seen and think he’s ready for this,” Black said.
Key Player Insights
Nolan Jones vs. Brady Singer: Rockies’ Nolan Jones has had success against Singer, going 4-for-5 in his career. This matchup could be crucial in Sunday’s game.
Royals’ Kris Bubic: The Royals reinstated left-hander Kris Bubic from the 60-day injured list on Saturday. Bubic, returning from Tommy John surgery, will be used in relief and is eager to contribute after nearly 15 months away from the game.
Conclusion
Sunday’s game is a big one for both teams. The Rockies, fueled by Brenton Doyle’s hot streak, aim to extend their winning run. Meanwhile, the Royals are looking to bounce back from their recent struggles and improve their road performance. It promises to be an exciting and competitive contest.