The set-up: The Rockies lost 13 of 18 games prior to the break and returned to play this past weekend at Citi Field against the Mets. They promptly lost 14-2 and 9-3, giving them 15 losses in their previous 20 games. Colorado is hoping it has stopped the bleeding after Sunday's 13-4 rout of the Mets, as the Rockies open a three-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres on Monday. The Padres beat the Giants 7-1 on Sunday and all of a sudden own three straight series wins (6-3 during that run but still just 40-51 on the season).

The pitching matchup: Luis Perdomo (4-4 & 4.54 ERA) gets the nod for San Diego and German Marquez (6-4 & 4.36 ERA) for Colorado. Perdomo won his third consecutive start on July 5, holding Cleveland to two runs (one earned) over five innings in a 6-2 victory. He has allowed three or fewer runs in 11 of his 15 outings this season but the Padres are only a modest 7-8 in his starts. He is 0-2 with a 5.32 ERA in five career games (three starts / team is 0-3) against Colorado. Marquez is pitching for the first time since July 7, when he allowed three runs over seven frames in 12-4 victory against the Chicago White Sox. The rookie is facing San Diego for the second time this season after allowing six runs on eight hits with nine strikeouts over five innings in an 8-5 loss at Petco Park on June 2.

The pick: The Padres have won four of their last six on the road but are still only 16-28 away from home on the season, getting outscored 5.11-to-3.45 RPG. Perdomo has seen his team lose all three of his starts against the Rockies (5.82 ERA) and faces a Colorado team long overdue to break out of its current slump. Why not here for the Rockies, where they've averaged 5.80 RPG at Coors in 2017. Make Colorado an 8* play.