Game 16 Preview: 04/22 Padres @ Rockies

Continuing what's already been an exciting series in Colorado, the Padres and Rockies will send out their aces in game 3 of the four-game set tonight. Furthermore, San Diego will be looking to clinch the series with a win tonight and continue their journey to the top of the NL West.

James Shields has been exactly what we expected going into the season. Entering his fourth start of the year, he boasts a 2-0 record and 2.84 ERA. He's gone six or more innings in each of his outings and allowed a total of six runs. Shields has three career starts against the Rockies under his belt, going 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA overall. Two of those took place at Coors Field, where he is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA.

Opposing Shields will be Kyle Kendrick, who started his season on a really strong note (seven shutout innings in Milwaukee), but has struggled in his two starts since then. He gave up eight runs in five innings in his first home start as a Rockie, then followed that up by allowing six runs in a 4 2/3-inning performance at Dodger Stadium. Kendrick has pitched against the Padres seven times in his career, going 4-2 with a 4.08 ERA. But among the current Padres, Matt Kemp and Justin Upton have faced him the most. Kemp is 6-for-15 all-time against Kendrick while Upton is 8-for-23, including two home runs.

The game gets underway this evening at 5:40 pm PT on Fox Sports San Diego or MLB.TV and The Mighty 1090 or MLB At-Bat.