The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Denver for a Tuesday night matchup against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, with first pitch set for 8:40 PM ET. Eric Lauer gets the ball for Los Angeles opposite Colorado's Ryan Feltner. Coors Field is always a wild card — the altitude and thin air turn routine fly balls into souvenirs and can make a bullpen look twice as thin — so how both clubs manage their pitching staffs and capitalize on offensive opportunities will go a long way toward determining the outcome. This is a regular-season game with standings implications still in play.

Pitching Matchup: Eric Lauer vs. Ryan Feltner

The Dodgers turn to left-hander Eric Lauer, who was acquired to provide rotation depth and give Los Angeles a southpaw option in the starting five. Pitching at Coors is always an adventure regardless of who's on the mound, and Lauer will need to work efficiently, keep the ball down, and avoid falling behind hitters in counts. Surrendering walks at altitude is a fast track to a short outing.

Colorado counters with right-hander Ryan Feltner. The Rockies' right-hander has shown flashes of solid stuff, but pitching for a rebuilding club means he doesn't get many margin-of-error outings. If the Dodgers' lineup is clicking, Feltner will need his best command to keep Los Angeles from hanging a crooked number early.

Keys to Watch for the Dodgers at Coors Field

• Work the count early. Feltner can be vulnerable when he falls behind. Patient at-bats that run up pitch counts give the Dodgers a chance to get into Colorado's bullpen in the middle innings.
• Lauer's first two trips through the order. Coors Field hitters are dangerous at home, and the third time through the lineup can spiral quickly for any starter. Dave Roberts will need to be proactive with the hook if Lauer runs into trouble.
• Outfield defense. Balls carry in Denver. Routine pop-ups aren't routine, and misjudged fly balls at altitude can turn singles into doubles and doubles into extra-base nightmares. Sharp outfield communication is non-negotiable.
• Early offense. Coors Field games are notoriously high-scoring. Getting on the board first against Feltner puts Colorado in chase mode and forces their bullpen into action sooner.

Broadcast Information

Tuesday's game can be seen on SportsNet LA for Dodgers fans and Rockies.TV for Colorado viewers. Radio coverage is available on Dodgers Radio AM570 and KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM, with Spanish-language broadcasts on KTNQ 1020 and KNRV 1150.

Prediction

Coors Field games demand respect — no lead is safe and no pitching line is guaranteed. That said, the Dodgers have the offensive firepower to put up runs in bunches in Denver, and Lauer's job is simply to keep the game competitive long enough for Los Angeles to take control. Expect a high-scoring affair, with the Dodgers finding enough offense to pull out a road win. Dodgers 8, Rockies 6.