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Rockies open three-game set with Padres

Sep 15, 2008 - 1:56 PM San Diego (57-93) at Colorado (68-82) 8:35 p.m. EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- Two teams already thinking about next year will meet when the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies open a three-game series on Monday.

Both teams are at the bottom of the National League West Division, with the Padres in last place and the Rockies one-half game behind the San Francisco Giants (68-81) for third in a division that has only one team over .500.

Rookie Wade LeBlanc (0-1, 5.40) makes just his third start for San Diego. His had mixed results in his two previous starts came against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing five runs in four innings during his first outing before bouncing back with six innings of one-run ball on September 9.

The 24-year-old was 11-9 with a 5.32 ERA in 26 appearances - 25 starts - with Class AAA Portland of the Pacific Coast League.

The Rockies counter with Ubaldo Jimenez (10-12, 4.18), who is 6-4 with a solid 3.36 ERA at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

In his last start against the Padres on August 30, the righthander allowed six runs on just two hits, but he gave up five walks in just 3 2/3 innings during the Rockies' 9-4 loss.

Jimenez, 24, has been battling control problems all season long, walking 92 batters in 178 2/3 innings. It's the third-highest total in baseball, trailing only Barry Zito (97) and Oliver Perez (94).