San Diego Padres-Colorado Rockies September 18 preview, notes, prediction

With their first four-game winning streak of the season in tow, the San Diego Padres return to Petco Park on Monday night to open a series against the Colorado Rockies.

This marks Colorado's first trip to San Diego since the opening series of the season, a four-game set the two teams split. The Padres are 6-4 against the Rockies this season, helping Colorado come into the series with a 56-93 record and in danger of losing 100 games in a campaign for the first time in franchise history.

Colorado hasn't officially named a starter yet for the game, but it could well be Ty Blach, who saw action as a reliever against San Diego on April 1, the only time this season he has faced the Friars. Blach has settled into a Rockies rotation that has been completely decimated by injuries and has allowed 12 earned runs in 17.0 innings across three starts this season.

San Diego will counter with Michael Wacha, who has struggled in three September starts, allowing 20 hits and 12 earned runs in 14.0 innings.

On Sunday, Colorado's Elehuris Montero extended his on-base streak to 25 games thanks to a double in the ninth inning. That streak is the second-longest active on-base streak in all of MLB.

Juan Soto is simply on fire over his last seven games, slashing 423/.484/.923 with four home runs and 13 RBI. He has struggled somewhat against Colorado this season, posting a .238/.283/.452 slash line in 46 plate appearances.

It is the first road game for the Rockies after a week-long homestand against the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants. With Colorado coming from altitude to sea level, expect the Rockies offense to struggle, giving San Diego a big advantage toward winning their fifth consecutive game. We will take the Padres in a low-scoring affair.