Colorado Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds Game 32 Thread: Michael Lorenzen Faces Former Team in Series Decider

Wake up, friends, baseball starts early today! If you’re a Colorado Rockies fan, you’ve got a perfect excuse to skip the morning coffee and tune into Great American Ballpark instead. After a roller-coaster series against the Cincinnati Reds, the Rockies have a chance to do something they haven’t done consistently all season: win a road series. Following a dominant 13-2 victory on Wednesday that evened the series, Colorado sends Michael Lorenzen to the mound against his old club. Meanwhile, the Reds counter with Andrew Abbott, a lefty who is desperately searching for his first win of the season. Let’s break down everything you need to know for this pivotal Game 32.

Rockies Offense Explodes: Can They Carry the Momentum?

After a frustrating offensive performance in the series opener, the Colorado Rockies bats answered the bell in a big way on Wednesday. Scoring 13 runs against a Reds pitching staff that has been inconsistent is no small feat, especially on the road. The key for the Rockies has been their ability to string together hits and capitalize on mistakes. If you look at the box score from Wednesday, you saw contributions up and down the lineup—something that has been missing in too many games this season.

For the Rockies to secure a series win, they need to replicate that approach against Andrew Abbott. The Reds’ left-hander has been struggling mightily, and that is an understatement. Abbott enters this start with an unsightly 6.59 ERA and a 0-2 record. While his first three outings of the year showed promise, the last three have been a nightmare. He has allowed at least four earned runs in each of his last three starts, including a five-run outing against the Detroit Tigers last Friday.

What makes Abbott vulnerable? It’s the contact. He is not a power pitcher, and he lives by inducing weak contact—but lately, that contact has been anything but weak. He has allowed five or more hits in every single start this season. Worse, he has walked at least two batters in all but one appearance. For a Rockies lineup that can be impatient at times, this is a golden opportunity. The message from the dugout should be clear: be patient, work the count, and force Abbott to throw strikes in the zone.

• Key to success: Rockies hitters must lay off the low-and-away breaking balls that Abbott relies on.
• Watch for: Ryan McMahon and Elias Díaz, who have historically hit lefties well.
• Stat to know: Abbott has a 7.20 ERA over his last three starts combined.

The Rockies are not a team that can afford to leave runners on base. If they can get to Abbott early, they can force the Reds to go to a bullpen that has been overworked. That is the blueprint for a second straight win.

Michael Lorenzen: Familiar Territory, New Opportunity

On the mound for the Rockies, Michael Lorenzen brings a fascinating storyline. He is facing his former team for the first time this season, and he knows Great American Ballpark better than almost any pitcher on the active roster. With 147 appearances in this ballpark during his time with the Reds, Lorenzen has logged 258.1 innings here, posting a respectable 3.90 ERA. That kind of comfort level cannot be understated—he knows the mound, the batter’s eye, and the way the ball carries in this park.

But there is a catch. Lorenzen has also allowed 33 career home runs at this venue. That is a significant number, and it highlights the biggest risk in his game today. The Reds lineup, while not elite, has power threats like Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer who can turn on a fastball in a hurry. Lorenzen’s success will hinge on his ability to keep the ball on the ground.

His last start was arguably his best of the season. Against the New York Mets, Lorenzen went seven innings, allowing just one run on seven hits. The most impressive part? He induced 10 groundouts compared to only five flyouts. That is the Michael Lorenzen the Rockies need—the one who pounds the bottom of the zone with his sinker and gets weak contact. When he tries to nibble or elevate, he gets hit. When he is aggressive and trusts his stuff, he can be a reliable mid-rotation arm.

• Career at GABP: 3.90 ERA, 258.1 IP, 33 HR allowed.
• Last start: 7 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 10 groundouts.
• Pitch to watch: His sinker, which generated a 55% groundball rate in his last outing.

The Rockies need Lorenzen to eat innings. The bullpen has been taxed, and a deep start would be a godsend. If he can give them six or seven strong frames, the Rockies have a legitimate shot to win this series.

Expert Analysis: The Matchup That Will Decide the Game

When you break this game down, it comes down to one central question: Which version of each pitcher shows up? Both Lorenzen and Abbott have been inconsistent, but the trends are moving in opposite directions. Lorenzen is coming off his best start, while Abbott is in the midst of his worst stretch.

Advantage: Rockies. Here is why. The Rockies offense is gaining confidence after a 13-run outburst. They have seen Abbott’s stuff before, and they know he will give them opportunities. The key will be plate discipline. If the Rockies can work deep counts and get Abbott’s pitch count up early, they will force the Reds’ bullpen into action by the fifth inning. The Reds’ relievers are not terrible, but they are not dominant either.

Defensively, both teams are about even. The Rockies have made some costly errors this season, but they cleaned things up in the second game of the series. The Reds, meanwhile, have a young and athletic defense that can make highlight-reel plays but also suffers from mental lapses. Expect a clean game, but one mistake could be the difference.

Prediction: I see the Rockies jumping on Abbott early. Look for a three-run first inning that sets the tone. Lorenzen will be sharp early but will allow a solo home run—likely to De La Cruz—in the fourth. The game will tighten up, but the Rockies’ bullpen will hold the lead. Final score: Rockies 6, Reds 4. That would give Colorado a series win and a positive end to a tough road trip.

How to Watch and Listen: Game Day Details

For those tuning in, the game is available on the radio waves. You can catch the action on KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM for the English broadcast, or KNRV 1150 for Spanish coverage. First pitch is early, so make sure you are locked in. The atmosphere in Cincinnati should be lively, as the Reds are still trying to find their footing in the NL Central.

For Rockies fans, this is a game that feels winnable. After a rough start to the season, any series win is a major victory. A win today would mark the Rockies’ second straight series win on the road, which is a building block for a young team trying to establish an identity.

Strong Conclusion: A Defining Moment for the Rockies

Baseball is a game of momentum, and the Colorado Rockies have a chance to grab it by the throat. After a 13-2 thrashing on Wednesday, the bats are alive, the pitching is trending up, and the opponent is vulnerable. Michael Lorenzen knows this ballpark better than anyone in the dugout, and he has the stuff to quiet the Reds’ bats if he stays down in the zone. Andrew Abbott is reeling, and a confident Rockies lineup should be able to exploit his command issues.

This is not just another game in April. This is a chance for the Rockies to prove they can win on the road, string together quality starts, and capitalize on a struggling pitcher. If they do that, they fly home with a series win and a reason to smile. If they don’t, it is back to the drawing board. But given the trends, I am betting on the Rockies. Wake up, friends—baseball starts early today, and it is going to be a good one.

Final prediction: Colorado Rockies 6, Cincinnati Reds 4. Let’s play ball.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.