The set-up: The Rockies were able to take two of three at home over the NY Mets, by winning the rubber match of their series 5-4 last night. Colorado is 62-47 and a half-game back of Arizona for the No. 1 wild card spot in the NL. The Rockies are 5 1/2 games inside the playoff 'cut line,' as they welcome another struggling team from the NL East to Coors Field, the major league-worst Philadelphia Phillies (39-67).

The pitching matchup: Vince Velasquez (2-6 & 4.91 ERA) gets the nod for Philly and Kyle Freeland (11-7 & 3.71 ERA) for Colorado. Velasquez's win-less streak reached eight starts on Sunday, when he settled for a no-decision against Atlanta despite scattering six hits over seven scoreless innings. He has allowed fewer than two ERs in four of his last five outings but has not won since defeating the Cubs in Chicago on May 1, going 0-4 (team is 3-5). However, let's note that he missed the entire month of June and more than half of July with an elbow injury. Velasquez is 1-0 with a 4.60 ERA in three career starts against Colorado (team is 3-0), including a no-decision on May 25 in which he gave up one run over five innings in a Philly win. Freeland has won three straight decisions (3-0 with a 2.01 ERA that four-game stretch / team is 3-1), including a tough outing at Washington on Sunday in which he allowed four runs - three earned - and nine hits over five innings in a 10-6 win. Freeland will be facing Philadelphia for the first time.

The pick: The Phillies not only own MLB's worst overall record but its worst road record (16-38, minus-$1480), as well. Freeland leads all major-league rookies in victories (11) and innings (121 1/3) and comes in having allowed just two runs over 14 1/3 innings in winning his last two starts at home (1.26 ERA). The Rockies average 6.25 RPG at Coors and Freeland looks headed for a 15-win season. Make Colorado a 10* play.