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Jimenez will start Game 4 for Rockies

DENVER • One bad outing, even in the playoffs, hasn’t rattled Ubaldo Jimenez.

The Rockies ace feels confident entering one of the biggest starts of his career today in Game 4 of the NL Division Series, despite getting shredded by the Phillies in a forgetful Game 1 on Wednesday in Philadelphia.

A 15-game winner, Jimenez spent Sunday watching video of Game 1, in which he didn’t have any problems the first four innings and was shelled in the fifth and the sixth, when he lost control, fell behind in counts and relied too much on his fastball and breaking ball.

He gave up five runs on nine hits in five innings to remain winless in the postseason. And he knows he’ll need better stuff in a rematch against Phillies ace Cliff Lee, who went the distance in Game 1, giving up one run on six hits.

“I have my same routine,” Jimenez said. “I don’t want to make anything different. I want to take it as a normal game. … The pressure is on them because we are playing at home. It’s good to be playing with your fans.”

National Weather Service forecasters today call for a high near 46 degrees, a low around 26 and 8 mph winds, with no chance of precipitation. That doesn’t bother Jimenez, who said he’s “not going to put that in my mind. I’m going to go out there and pitch my game. I’m not going to be thinking about the weather.”

Rockies manager Jim Tracy insists Jimenez on full rest and Aaron Cook, also on normal rest, for a possible Game 5 on Tuesday in Philadelphia were no-brainers.

“He’s battle-tested enough,” Tracy said of Jimenez.

The key for Jimenez to rekindle his magic? “Trying to stay focused the whole game and keep going and challenge hitters,” he said. “Trying to learn from the mistakes you make. And hopefully not doing the same mistakes as the first game.”

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