Preview: Padres at Rockies, April 23, 2026

DENVER (Interstat) — The surging San Diego Padres will look to continue their dominance over the struggling Colorado Rockies when the National League West rivals conclude a three-game series Thursday at Coors Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. MDT under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature of 83 degrees.

The Padres (16-7) have won five straight and nine of their last 10, including the first two games of this series. They blanked the Rockies 1-0 on Tuesday behind seven shutout innings from Randy Vásquez. San Diego has won all five meetings between the teams this season.

Colorado (9-15) has lost three consecutive games and is 2-8 in its last 10. The Rockies’ offense has been stifled, scoring just three total runs in their last four contests.

The pitching matchup features a contrast in team momentum. San Diego will send right-hander Matt Waldron (0-1, 4.50 ERA) to the mound. He will be opposed by Colorado right-hander Chase Dollander (1-4, 3.86 ERA).

Dollander has been a hard-luck case against the Padres this year. He took the loss Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits with nine strikeouts over six innings. In three appearances (two starts) versus San Diego in 2026, he has a 1.69 ERA but an 0-2 record, receiving just three runs of support.

A player to watch for the Padres is Vásquez, though he is not scheduled to pitch. He has been exceptional, including his recent win at Coors Field. Over his last five starts, he is 5-0 with a 1.59 ERA.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the Padres are projected to win 8-3.

Following the game, the Rockies embark on a seven-game road trip, starting Friday in New York against the Mets. The Padres travel to Arizona to begin a series with the Diamondbacks on Saturday.