Colorado Rockies vs San Francisco Giants

Sullivan, who entered with a 10.13 ERA across his previous four MLB appearances and had allowed five earned runs on six hits in 4.2 innings against Miami on June 29, lasted into the fifth but surrendered six runs across the first three frames.

San Francisco jumped to a 5-0 lead inside two innings. The key blow came off Willy Adames' bat — a two-run double with a 95.9 mph exit velocity off Sullivan's cutter — as part of a multi-run first frame. Rafael Devers added a solo home run, his 16th of the season, to stretch the lead further in the third.

Colorado answered for three runs of their own across the third and fourth innings to stay within striking distance, but Robbie Ray — who entered 7-6 with a 3.39 ERA — has held the line through the middle frames.

The game fundamentally shifted before first pitch. Sullivan's 8.64 ERA and 1.86 WHIP made him an obvious target for a Giants lineup that entered hitting .326 through Luis Arraez. San Francisco ambushed him early and never let the Rockies' bullpen settle into a rhythm.

Robbie Ray hasn't allowed an earned run in his last three starts spanning 22.1 innings, limiting the Braves (twice) and Athletics to two unearned runs and eight hits total. He entered with a 4-0 record and 1.36 ERA over his previous five appearances (per MLB.com game preview). Through five innings Saturday, the lefty has been in control with a three-run cushion at Coors.

The Rockies' offence had scored 35 runs across their previous three games — all wins — including 15 on Friday night behind Jake McCarthy's leadoff homer and grand slam. But against Ray, they've managed three runs through five.

Both teams entered separated by one game in the NL West basement: Giants at 36-51, Rockies at 36-53. The Rockies had scored 14+ runs in consecutive games, a feat only three MLB teams have managed since 2020 (per Purple Row). But the Sugano scratch and Sullivan's struggles flipped the early script.

A Giants win would pull them to 37-51 and 1.5 games clear of Colorado in the division cellar. San Francisco heads home to face the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday (July 6), while Colorado travels to Los Angeles to face the NL West-leading Dodgers (58-31) starting July 6.

Sullivan's early struggles validated the concern around an 0-2 pitcher with a 10.13 ERA facing a Giants lineup built on contact. The over looked well-positioned pre-game given Coors Field dynamics and both bullpens' vulnerabilities. Ray's recent dominance (4-0, 1.36 ERA over last 5) made the Giants moneyline the sharp side after the pitching change was announced.

The Giants built a three-run lead in the first two innings against an overmatched emergency starter, and Robbie Ray has the cushion to stay aggressive. Colorado's offence has shown life — they scored 15 on Friday — but with six innings left and Ray dealing, the hole may be too deep for a fourth straight Rockies win.