For the Colorado Rockies, a series against the Milwaukee Brewers is one that evokes several memories. The most haunting, a sweep at the hands of the latter in the National League Division Series last year.

Part of what has fueled the Rockies through their offseason and early going of 2019 was that loss.

In the series, the club went down without a run in two of the three games, mustering only 14 hits in the sets’ entirety. A journey to get back, garnering a further taste of success has been the main goal from the Rockies’ leaders. 

With the Brewers set to host the Rockies in a three-game set to conclude the month of April, welcoming each club to May, ahead are key storylines to watch.

Probable Pitching Matchups

Kyle Freeland (2-3, 4.23 ERA) vs. Zach Davies (2-0, 1.65 ERA)

German Marquez (3-1, 2.54 ERA) vs. Jhoulys Chacin (2-3, 6.35 ERA)

Antonio Senzatela (2-1, 3.93 ERA) vs. Chase Anderson (2-0, 3.20 ERA)

Does Brewers’ biggest star get a chance to shine?

It appears being the linchpin of the lineup has caused last year’s NL Most Valuable Player to bear the burden in his back. 

Wrapping up a series against the New York Mets on Sunday, Christian Yelich exited with lower back discomfort. The ailment came at a time when the outfielder was on a historic pace.

Through 29 games, Yelich already has 14 home runs, tying a record held by Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez for most long balls prior to May 1st in league history. Along with the power, Yelich has slashed .350/.459/.810 with his walks (20) equaling his punchouts (20).

Reports on Yelich’s back have put his playing time against the Rockies in question, though the discomfort is not expected to require a stint on the injured list.

Against the Rockies in his six-plus season career, Yelich hasn’t been the same threat he’s been to other opposing staffs (two home runs in 161 at-bats), but the threat is everpresent for the left-handed slugger.

The Brewers’ star has fronted the club’s efforts while the newly-acquired Yasmani Grandal has also made his presence felt (six home runs).

Without Yelich, the Brewers negative run differential (-6) figures to drop further.

Rockies taking streaks into the Cream City

The sprees that made up the Rockies’ early moments of 2019 weren’t friendly.

Both Charlie Blackmon (81 at-bats) and Nolan Arenado (61 at-bats) accrued the longest streaks without a home run to begin the season and the team failed to win their first five series in a row.

With a rejuvenated offense, the Rockies have juxtaposed their past failures in recent weeks.

Story, last year’s breakout shortstop, enters the Brewers’ series on the heels of a 16-game hitting streak. The spree is the longest of Story’s career and also stands as the longest active streak in the league.

As the team’s biggest free agent acquisition, Daniel Murphy has also homered in back-to-back games after recently returning from a broken finger.

The pair of binges have played a part in the Rockies’ four-straight series’ wins to bring their record to 13-15, their run differential rising to -8 on the year.

Visitors bringing a host of young stars on the mound

German Marquez and Kyle Freeland compose one of the league’s elite young duos on the mound. With Antonio Senzatela set to toe the mound in a possible rubber match, the Rockies’ youth in their starting rotation will be at the forefront.

Marquez has hurled 39 innings to the tune of a 2.54 earned run average while Freeland has a 4.23 ERA over 27.2 innings. The latter, a top-five NL Cy Young finisher last year, is set to return from a blister issue that has plagued him all year.

While Freeland wasn’t given an opportunity to face the Brewers in last year’s postseason, Marquez got his opportunity in the third and final game. Across five innings, he allowed two earned runs including a home run by Jesus Aguilar.

The two have accounted for much of the rotation’s success as each of the Rockies other starters, outside of Jon Gray, have struggled. Senzatela has been part of those woes.

Through 18.1 innings after missing nearly the first month with an infected blister on his heel, Senzatela has allowed eight earned runs. A bloated 18.2 percent of Senzatela’s flyballs have left the yard, a figure that is sure to regress. Standing in his way is Miller Park, a hitter’s haven so far this year. 

For the Rockies, long outings from their rotation will be crucial with the bullpen still riding a lucky spree on balls in play that could end at a moment’s notice. The Brewers rotation has been downtrodden all year, only aiding the visitors’ advantage.