It looks like the new rotation will have Milton going first, Harang second, Arroyo third and Ramirez fourth. Who will be fifth is left to see.

Thursday, July 13 Great American Ball Park | 7:10 PM ET


Jeff Francis, LHP (6-7, 4.05)
Rockies (44-43) @ Eric Milton, LHP (5-4, 5.24)
Reds (45-44)



Scouting Report:
Francis was rolling until the rain came his last start on July 4 and cut his start short. He was unable to return after an almost two-hour rain delay, but before the delay he was sharp. He forced eight ground-ball outs and added a strikeout, keeping the ball down for most of the night. Francis was given the first start out of the break to keep his days off because of the All-Star break to a minimum -- it turns out it's eight games.
Milton was perfect for his first 3 1/3 innings in a 10-5 win over Atlanta on July 7, until Edgar Renteria hit a one-out double in the fourth. Chipper Jones followed with a two-run homer. The left-hander finished with five earned runs and six hits allowed over 6 1/3 innings.





Friday, July 14 Great American Ball Park | 7:10 PM ET


Jason Jennings, RHP (6-6, 3.67)
Rockies (44-43) @ Aaron Harang, RHP (9-6, 3.70)
Reds (45-44)



Scouting Report:
Jennings went eight innings in his final start before the break last Saturday, giving up a run on six hits and a walk. He struck out eight but picked up no decision in his stellar performance in which he faced Arizona's Brandon Webb. The one run Jennings gave up was scored on a solo homer off the right field foul poll. Jennings thought he pitched well and was pleased with his performance.
Harang threw his Major League-leading fourth complete game, only to suffer his second complete-game loss, a 4-1 decision to the Braves on Saturday. The right-hander worked scoreless for 6 2/3 innings before allowing a single and a two-run homer to Jeff Francoeur. He threw 135 pitches in the game, prompting the club to move his outing back from Thursday.





Saturday, July 15 Great American Ball Park | 6:10 PM ET


Aaron Cook, RHP (6-7, 3.72)
Rockies (44-43) @ Bronson Arroyo, RHP (9-6, 3.12)
Reds (45-44)



Scouting Report:
It seems that no matter how well Cook pitches, he can't get a win. And in the games Cook starts, the Rockies are struggling to win. Cook went 6 1/3 innings and gave up four runs the Sunday before the break, but the Colorado bullpen couldn't hold the team's lead. In Cook's last nine starts, eight of which the Rockies have lost, the righty has given up more than four runs once, but the bullpen had given up 23 runs in 19 1/3 innings in those starts.
Arroyo lasted 4 1/3 innings in his shortest start in 19 outings this season as Cincinnati fell, 8-3, to the Braves at Turner Field on Sunday. Along with giving up 10 hits and three walks, the right-hander allowed a season-high six earned runs -- including two home runs. The All-Star's pitch count soared. Not displaying solid command, he had 57 pitches through two innings and left with 105 thrown.





Sunday, July 16 Great American Ball Park | 1:15 PM ET


Josh Fogg, RHP (7-5, 4.44)
Rockies (44-43) @ Elizardo Ramirez, RHP (3-6, 4.14)
Reds (45-44)



Scouting Report:
Fogg, it appears, is the biggest loser from the changes the All-Star break brought to the Rockies starting rotation. He will have the longest break betweens starts (10 days) among Colorado starters. Fogg has been the Rockies hottest starter recently. He has given up six total runs in his past three starts (all wins) including a two-hit shutout in Seattle. Last time out, he gave up two runs in seven innings.
In his final first-half start, July 5 at Milwaukee, Ramirez gave up three earned runs and seven hits over six innings. It was the seventh time over his last eight starts that the right-hander worked at least six innings. He was optioned to Class A Dayton last week so he could stay sharp with an extra outing on July 10 that will keep him on his normal days of rest.