Opposite dugout: Lots of offense, terrible pitching await in Coors Field

Manager: Walt Weiss (3rd season)

Record: 48-68

Last 10 games: 3-7

Who to watch: 2B DJ LeMehieu (.319 with 18 SB), C Nick Hundley (.303 with 9 HR, 40 RBIs), 38 Nolan Arenado (.278 with 29 HR, 86 RBIs), RF Carlos Gonzalez (27 HR, 67 RBIs), LHP Jorge De La Rosa (7-5, 4.75 ERA)

Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1

Pitching probables:

Aug. 18: RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP David Hale, 8:40 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 19: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. LHP Jorge De La Rosa, 8:40 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 20: RHP Max Scherzer vs. LHP Yohan Flande, 8:40 p.m., MASN2

Inside the Rockies:

Earlier this month, when the Rockies visited Nationals Park, the Nats were introduced to the notion that teams way below .500 could still be dangerous. Colorado took two out of three from Washington, improving to 15 games under .500 with the series victory. Since then, the Rockies have reverted to their normal losing ways, dropping seven of 10 games, including six straight after their successful weekend in Washington, D.C.

It's hard to tell which version of the Rockies will post for this three-game series in the rarefied air of Coors Field. Colorado has looked a little lost since dealing shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto at the non-waiver trading deadline. There were rumors that the Rockies might also shed a big contract in right fielder Carlos Gonzalez. But that didn't happen, and he's been on a power surge since the All-Star break, with 14 homers and 32 RBIs.

Even amid their struggles, the Rockies still produce on offense. They rank second in the majors in slugging percentage (.436), third total bases (1,730), fourth in average (.269), sixth in hits (1,066), and seventh in runs (519) and home runs (132). Yes, some of that production comes from playing in the thin Denver air; but they can be a dangerous club at the dish, and any pitcher who doesn't work with a little caution, especially at Coors, can get hurt in a hurry.

Trouble is, the Rockies can't crush the ball enough - home or away - to counteract a woeful pitching staff that ranks dead last in the majors in ERA (5.01), runs allowed (606), opponents' on-base percentage (.350) and slugging percentage (.458), and next-to-last in strikeouts (776) and foes' batting average (.281). Even the third-most run support isn't sufficient, which creates a dilemma for manager Walt Weiss, who must hope his mashers can score more runs than his poor pitchers allow.

Gonzalez isn't the only dangerous hitter in the Colorado lineup. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu has blossomed into an All-Star and third baseman Nolan Arenado, another All-Star, has Coloradans excited with his power bat (team-leading 29 homers and 86 RBIs) and his highlight-reel defensive antics. Catcher Nick Hundley is having the best year of his career, with nine homers and 40 RBIs, and the Tulowitzki deal brought back shortstop Jose Reyes, who can be a speed threat when his hamstrings allow. .

The Nats are familiar with right-hander David Hale, who is scheduled to be activated off the 15-day disabled list to make the start in Tuesday's series opener. Hale, a former Brave, has been sidelined with a left groin injury and he's logged 6 1/3 scoreless innings in three games, including a start, in his career against Washington. This season, he's 0-4 in his last five starts and has yielded a .294/.330/.533 slash line to opponents, including a .342/.422/.500 line with runners in scoring position. That indicates that the fastball/changeup combination that accounts for 83 percent of his pitches isn't fooling many hitters. If he can get ahead 0-1, Hale holds batters to a .230 average; when they get ahead 0-1, hitters have a .338 average against him. Six times in his eight starts in 2015, Hale has yielded four or more runs, which sounds like a good recipe for success for a struggling Nationals lineup.

Lefty Jorge De La Rosa starts Wednesday night, and the staff veteran has posted a 3.37 ERA in three August starts, logging at least six innings in each. But he's got only one victory in his last seven starts, with a no-decision against the Nats on Aug. 7 in D.C. At home, De La Rosa is 2-2 with a 6.62 ERA and a .279/.368/.497 slash line from opponents. But he's been stingy with the hits, allowing seven or more only three times in his 20 starts. Most everything out of De La Rosa's hand is a variation of a fastball - straight, cut or split-fingered. In his career against Washington, the southpaw is 5-2 with a 4.12 ERA against the Nationals.

Thursday starter Yohan Flande is another lefty who hasn't had a lot of success versus Washington in his career - he's 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two lifetime starts against the Nats, including a no-decision in D.C. on Aug. 9 in which he allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings. Flande relies heavily on a fastball/changeup combo, but opposing batters haven't been fooled a lot and have hit six homers in 20 2/3 innings in his starts. He's had some success at Coors Field, limiting foes to a .247/.293/.429 slash line. With none on and none out, he gives up a lot - opponents are ripping him at a .325/.341/.650 clip. Given his struggles early in starts, you can expect the Nats to try and be aggressive. In his first through 15th pitches, opposing hitters have slashed .333/.405/.694 with three homers and 10 RBIs.

As you'd expect with a team 20 games under .500, the Colorado bullpen has been a mess. Rockies relievers have the worst ERA in the majors (4.83) and are tied for the third-fewest saves (25). Six different relievers have recorded saves, and the Rockies have churned through several closers because of injuries and ineffectiveness.