What to expect from today’s doubleheader.

Juan Nicasio

Juan Nicasio pitched in the majors for the Colorado Rockies from 2011-14. He’ll start against his former team today and throw two or three innings depending on his pitch count. (Getty Images)

DENVER — The Dodgers and Colorado Rockies are playing two games today. The Dodgers have made some unconventional roster moves before Game 1 (which begins at 12:10 p.m. PT), and might make more before Game 2, all of which bear some explanation.

Juan Nicasio will start Game 1 for the Dodgers. It’s his first starting assignment since June 15 of last year (coincidentally, for the Rockies).

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he’s counting on Nicasio being able to pitch two innings, maybe three depending on his pitch count. The right-hander actually held opponents to a lower batting average in Denver last season compared to away (.282 vs. .300), which might have played into the decision to start him.

“With Juan we want to be able to start right-handed, knowing which way we can go back,” manager Don Mattingly said, “Juan was kind of the guy we felt like we could use today and still use him tomorrow, depending on how it goes. We’ll play that by ear.”

Left-handed pitcher Ian Thomas is here wearing number 58, and will be used out of the bullpen at some point — possibly right after Nicasio. The Rockies have four left-handed hitters in their Game 1 lineup (Ben Paulsen, Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and Daniel Descalso), so Thomas could be the first man up in the bullpen if the Dodgers want to create a favorable matchup in terms of pitcher-hitter handedness early on.

The Dodgers acquired Thomas from the Atlanta Braves in the Juan Uribe trade with the intention of stretching him out as a starting pitcher. He pitched 2 ⅓ innings last Thursday in his only appearance at Triple-A Oklahoma City and has pitched as many as three innings this season for the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate.

A quirky rule allows teams to recall a 26th player for certain doubleheaders. Thomas is that guy for the Dodgers, and he’s eligible to pitch in both games. Right-hander David Hale is that guy for the Rockies, and he’s starting Game 2 opposite Zack Greinke.

Both teams are allowed to adjust their roster between games. Maybe Andrew Friedman has a three-team trade already worked out but is waiting until the final out of of the first game to make it official. Here’s what Mattingly said about a possible roster change:

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.