Edouard

Julien

Julien doubled in a run in the second, and then picked up a two-run single in the third. He’s swung the bat well in his limited time in June, but the overall production — .222/.323/.306, two homers, four stolen bases in seven chances — leaves an awful lot to be desired.

The error was obstruction, as Julien was planted in front of second base on a Nolan Arenado steal attempt. Arenado was still charged with a caught stealing on the play but was awarded second. Julien hit .304/.396/.443 through the end of April, but he’s 3-for-40 with 16 strikeouts this month. He might begin losing starts to Willi Castro and Tyler Freeman.

The Rockies will go with an entire line shift with left-hander Jesus Luzardo toeing the slab for the Phillies, with Edouard Julien, Troy Johnston and Jake McCarthy joining Moniak on the bench for this one. We could see a similar lineup against Cristopher Sanchez on Sunday, which makes the 27-year-old slugger a tough start in leagues that utilize bi-weekly moves for hitters.

Castro has missed the last four games with a knee injury, but he’ll be back in the lineup at second base and hitting fifth on Wednesday. Since a left-hander pitcher is on the mound, Edouard Julien will shift to the bench, as will Troy Johnston and Jake McCarthy, with Jordan Beck and Brenton Doyle in the lineup and batting first and second, respectively.

Julien has 13 hits in his last seven games, a stretch that has raised his OPS from .639 to .842. That’s still no mixed-league value here, as Julien is a platoon guy with limited power and steal ability (though he has for some reason tried four this year, succeeding twice). He does seem to be the Rockies’ best option as a leadoff man against righties, though.

Castro, 29, has not been able to play since Thursday because of soreness in his right knee. The veteran infielder will take a seat with Edouard Julien once again starting at second base and hitting leadoff.

Julien doubled and scored the go-ahead run to open the sixth. An interesting thing happened earlier in that at-bat, when Julien challenged a 2-1 cutter off the plate and had it briefly turned into a ball, only for the Mets to appeal down to the third base ump afterwards and have it ruled that he swung at the ball. Julien is hitting .282/.363/.394 in 80 plate appearances as the Rockies’ second baseman against righties. That’s solid, but his defense there remains a problem and he’s not really showing enough to be at attractive option at first base or DH. He’s still a fringy major leaguer at this point.

It appears to be just a routine day off for the versatile 26-year-old. Julien has established himself as the Rockies’ regular leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching in recent weeks, making him a worthwhile addition in deeper mixed leagues. Mickey Moniak will serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff for the Rockies while Brenton Doyle makes a rare start against a right-hander and will start in center field and bat ninth for the Rockies against Freddy Peralta and the Mets.

Castro has been dealing with a lingering hand issue after being hit by a pitch earlier this week. Edouard Julien takes over at second base to face Dodgers starter Emmet Sheehan. It’s possible Castro winds up requiring a trip to the injured list if he’s not ready to go by the end of the weekend.

Julien also drew two walks, and appears to be enjoying his time as a member of the Rockies. It’s his first homer with the club, and the stolen base gives him a pair in 13 games. The 26-year-old looked like he was on his way to being a fantasy stalwart after his rookie campaign, but he’s found very little success since. Maybe a change of scenery will allow him to do just that. Weirder things have happened, if it’s a mistake to count on it.