Bud Black confident his Rockies can handle the big stage

After losing two of three to the Arizona Diamondbacks and surrendering first place in the National League West, the Colorado Rockies face an even tougher task in the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are coming off a convincing four-game sweep against the New York Mets that leap-frogged them into first place in the division and the National League.

What’s more, the Dodgers have their three best pitchers slated to face off against the Rockies in Alex Wood, Clayton Kershaw and Brandon McCarthy. For the Rockies, there is no better time than now to prove they are legitimate contenders, and a competitive series in Los Angeles would do just that.

Before Wednesday’s game against the Diamondbacks, Rockies’ manager Bud Black spoke with Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro of Afternoon Drive on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 about how his team is preparing for the bright lights of Los Angeles. In regards to the Kershaw matchup on Saturday night, Black is confident in his team’s chances of victory.

“I do know this, we will show up Saturday night in Dodger Stadium and we will be ready to play,” Black said. “Chatwood will be ready to take on their guy. You guys know, you guys have seen our group, I think our group enjoys the big stage. That’s one thing I’ve learned about these guys so far. The bigger the game, our guys respond, which is great.”

The stage has never been bigger in 2017 than it will be in this three-game series in L.A. The Dodgers sit 1.5 games ahead of the Rockies in the NL West. With a series win, the Rockies can remain competitive in what has become the toughest division in baseball.

While the two teams battle this weekend in L.A., the Diamondbacks have the privilege of hosting the Philadelphia Phillies, owners of the worst record in baseball. The D-Backs’ presumed success against the struggling Phillies makes this series that much more important for the Rockies.

Listen to the full interview with Black, including his opinion on what the Rockies are doing differently this year, in the podcast below.

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Catch Afternoon Drive with Goodman and Shapiro every weekday from 4p-6p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.