• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Rockies, Dodgers get glimpse of future aces in finale

Jul 29, 2007 - 3:23 PM LA Dodgers (57-47) at Colorado (52-51) 3:05 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) - When the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies finish off their abbreviated four-game set on Sunday at Coors Field - one of the majors' most hitter-friendly parks - it may be the young pitching that takes center stage.

Due to Friday's rainout, the series has been shortened from four games to three games, with the final game to be added on the September 18-20 three-game series between the teams at Coors Field. None of this matters to Chad Billingsley (7-0, 3.38), however, as he hopes to celebrate his 23rd birthday in the same manner he has celebrated several other days this season - with a win.

The righthander, who was one of the Dodgers' top prospects before finishing out last season, is 3-0 in seven starts since joining the rotation in part due to his keeping a tidy 2.53 ERA. Billingsley registered his first complete game in his last outing on Monday in a 10-2 win over the Phillies as he permitted just two runs and five hits, striking out six.

The 2003 first-round draft choice has faced the Rockies twice in relief and made one start, sporting no record with a 8.00 ERA.

Ubaldo Jimenez (0-0, 3.75) will be making his fourth career start after recording two no-decisions since his promotion on July 17. The righthander yielded three runs and four hits with five strikeouts but did not factor into the decision as the bullpen allowed two runs the inning after Jimenez departed in a 5-3 loss to the Padres.