Blake Snell, Dodgers can't look past improving Rockies

The Los Angeles Dodgers are battling for the top record in the National League while the Colorado Rockies are fighting to avoid another 100-loss season.

The two goals collide Monday night when the Dodgers visit Denver to open a three-game series against the Rockies.

Los Angeles will send left-hander Blake Snell (0-1, 5.00 ERA) to the mound against Colorado right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (12-5, 4.43).

Snell is making his second start -- and just his third this season -- since returning from elbow surgery that sidelined him for three months. On Tuesday, he allowed one run on three hits over six innings and struck out 10 batters but did not record a decision in the 5-4, 10-inning loss against the Kansas City Royals.

It was an encouraging performance following rehab from having loose bodies removed from his elbow. And it got off to a good start, with Snell striking out the side in the first inning.

"I think the biggest thing was just being aggressive. Be in the zone, attack. I know how good my stuff is, so I didn't want to just be nibbling and then complaining like, 'Oh, that's a strike,'" he said after his start. "To strike out the side was good, but it's just keeping the pace, keeping the velo where I need it to be, feeling strong, those things matter a lot to me. To be able to do that for six innings and feel like I had more left, I'm excited about that."

Snell's return bolsters an already stacked rotation, but Los Angeles has struggled in August. The Dodgers are 5-10 in the month and are coming off losing three of four against Milwaukee.

Snell is facing the Rockies for the 15th time in his career and first this season. In his previous 14 outings against Colorado, he is 4-2 with a 3.04 ERA.

But the Dodgers can't look past the Rockies. They have the worst record in the National League but are 8-8 in August -- the only month the Rockies have played at least .500 ball.

Sugano is facing the Dodgers for the third time this season and fourth overall in his brief major league career. He has struggled against Los Angeles, going 0-3 with an 8.49 ERA, including losing both outings this season.

Sugano's 12 wins lead the Rockies, who are coming off a 13-7 victory at San Francisco on Sunday to cap a 5-4 road trip.

Colorado has tinkered with its roster since it was last at home, bringing up outfielder Zac Veen and infielders Connor Norby and Adael Amador from the minors.

Norby was acquired from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline and has played in the last five games. Amador homered Sunday and Veen homered in Friday night's win over the Giants.

Veen had a brief debut last season with the Rockies, hitting just .118 with a home run in 12 games, and has made a splash in his first call-up of 2026.

"I've had a ton of fun," Veen said of his return. "Everybody in here has been great to me. Feel really blessed to have everybody as a friend in here. Yeah, I couldn't do without anybody in here."