DENVER -- Rockies manager Bud Black announced before Friday's series opener against the Dodgers that left-hander Tyler Anderson will start Sunday's regular-season finale at Coors Field.

Depending on what happens between Friday and Sunday, that game could potentially decide whether the Rockies or Brewers win the National League's second Wild Card spot. Colorado entered the series with a magic number of two over Milwaukee.

Anderson has been excellent since his return from knee surgery on Sept. 11, posting a 1.19 ERA (three runs in 22 2/3 innings) with 18 strikeouts and three walks in four appearances (three starts).

Anderson's last start against the Dodgers came on June 25, his last start before going on the disabled list for the second time this season with knee inflammation. He gave up four runs in 2 1/3 innings.

"We've worked really hard for this, and we want big games," Anderson said after his last start. "If that's the situation [the NL Wild Card race comes down to Sunday], then, yeah, of course I want to throw."

Black knows how Rockies feel

Black has been in tight postseason races several times in his career, both as a player and a manager, but for many players on his Rockies team, this is the first time they have experienced such a situation. That includes a pair of NL MVP Award candidates in Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado.

"I think that one of the joys of coaching, teaching, is seeing these types of moments for, in this case, players," Black said before Friday's game against the Dodgers. "I think from anybody who's a little bit older and has seen somebody younger go through something exciting -- you've heard me talk about a player making his Major League debut, getting his first at-bat, first time he takes the mound as a pitcher, that first strike -- so I'm happy for so many guys that have been working hard for this kind of weekend. They deserve it."