When Chad Bettis starts, the Rockies win – at least in 2015 they do. Colorado is 3-0 this season when Bettis starts, including this past Sunday when he pitched a stellar 8 1/3 innings to earn his first victory of the year against San Francisco.
Friday, he’ll face Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies, a team the Rockies beat on May 19 with Bettis on the mound.
Sunday’s performance against the Giants was hands down the best of Bettis’ young career. He allowed six hits, five of which were singles, and just two runs, both of which came in the ninth inning, in the victory. He struck out seven and walked two.
Bettis had Friday’s start moved up because Jordan Lyles is still recovering from a strained left big toe.
In 2014, Bettis made 21 relief appearances for Colorado from March through July, when he was back and forth between Denver and Colorado Springs, before ending the season with the Sky Sox.
Bettis started eight games for the Rockies in August and September of 2013. Colorado was just 1-7 in those games and Bettis had an ERA of 5.02 with an 0-3 record.
So far in 2015, it’s been quite the opposite of his last stretch as a starter. He’ll put his current undefeated streak on the line against a familiar foe on Friday.
