Rockies in Turmoil
Man, this keeps on getting worse. After a hot start, the Rockies seem to lose every game. There are no specific problems to point to as the cause to the mess, but there are solutions to kinks that can get the train back on track. To start off, I’ll talk about the starting rotation.
Ubaldo, Jimenez, Jhoulys Chacin, and Jason Hammel are locks. Then Aaron Cook will most likely enter the roll as the fourth starter once he finishes his rehab, and that is just around the corner. That leaves that fifth spot. The candidates are Clayton Mortenson, Greg Reynolds, Juan Nicasio, and Esmil Rogers (still on DL). I think Mortenson gets it for the near future, but things are tricky. Juan Nicasio pitched well recently against the number one offense and is getting another start while Cook continues his rehab assignment, Esmil Rogers had the fifth starting job until his injury and is still in the mix once he is back, and Greg Reynolds is the long shot, who is currently working long relief for the Rockies. To sum it up, the Rotation is no the problem. In fact, it has been exception and one of the best in MLB. De La Rosa’s injury does not help, but I don’t think it restricts the team’s capabilities from reaching October.
The bullpen isn’t the problems either. Matt Linstrom, Matt Daley, Matt Belisle, Matt Reynolds, Huston Street, Raphael Betancourt, and Greg Reynolds currently occupy the Rockies’ bullpen. But it looks like Greg Reynolds will be optioned down after Cook is ready and Rex Brothers will be called up. And the only reason Brothers isn’t already up is business reasons. So, yes, the bullpen really isn’t the problem. Yes, it’s obvious what the problem is.
Was the offense supposed to be like this? This is where I will offer a solution. Play Eric Young Jr. as much as possible. His glove isn’t supposed to be his bright spot, but his new stance shortened up his stance and seems to quicken up hit bat speed; this creates a plus tradeoff when he is inserted to the lineup. I would also like to see what Chris Nelson could do, but Wigginton is starting to heat up; so he’ll have to stick to a utility roll. Right now, the problems look like are being addressed the pas few games (Young has started the last four games). Finally, Amezega and Lopez were DFA’d. I hate to say, but they were dead weight. Troy Tulowitzki will start getting better (read the most recent Rockies blog on ESPN’s Sweetspot). Helton and Smith look good. Point is, the whole team will be fine. And I hate when Rockies’ fans think it’s the end of the world.
Rockies Set MLB Record with 11 Straight Hits
I hope that is a sign of good things to come. The players looked like they had fun and weren’t feeling pressure. This could be one deadly lineup.
Side note: I hope Todd comes back healthy, as he just finished his first rehab game going 0-2, including the game winning sac fly.
One Game at a Time
Rockies win 9-3. I hoped they relaxed and had fun. I’m no baseball expert, but I do know that when something is being executed, it is better to relax. Don’t be tense, just relax and live the moment.
So far I like that Dexter Fowler may have found his comfort zone once again. He just has tremendous talent, and when he plays like the way he did yesterday, the Rockies win. He is not the only player of course, but when he is on, it is contagious to the whole ball club.
Hopefully things can get turned around and the Rockies can get back into the playoff mix. They have elite talent and it shouldn’t be too hard for the Rockies to make a comeback. I have read around the internet, and fans are about as pessimistic as they come.
It Could Be Worse
Horse’s ***. Rockies Players above average at their position — talent wise:
Chris Iannetta
Todd Helton
Troy Tulowitzki
Ian Stewart
Seth Smith
Dexter Fowler
Carlos Gonzalez
Brad Hawpe (offensive)
Ubaldo Jimenez
Jorge De La Rosa
Jhoulys Chacin (Oh god please call him up)
Rapheal Betancourt
Huston Street
Manny Corpas
Close to being on the list: Matt Belisle, Ryan Spilborghs, Taylor Bucholz
I got this idea from a comment on a Rockies site. Execution starts with the nerves. Calm down the nerves and relax. Don’t be too tense, just live the moment.
I know there are children dying from starvation and people getting murdered, so I should not have this Rockies’ struggle session be a factor in how my mood changes.
All I could do is be in good spirits and take one game at a time. I will set a mark on which the Rockies will have no chance. That is if they go under .500 at any point the rest of the year. This is as optimistic as I could be. Please Rockies have fun and enjoy the ride; you are too good of a team to perform at this level. I know you have it in you. Thanks!
Max Offense
If I were constructing the Rockies, and trying to mold the best possible team with the players now I would do the following things:
Add Chris Nelson. That is it. Who would I drop? Well, that just depends. Maybe Mora or Barmes, but they are key pieces so ultimately it’s going to be a tough decision.
Chris Nelson is a great player. He is raking at the AAA level, and is finally healthy after an injury plagued career since being drafted 9th overall in 2004. Chris Nelson has the tools to be a immediate impact for the ball club and the chance to a star. His bat speed is unheard of and to go along with the bat, he has plus speed and a glove. I am here hoping Chris Nelson gets his chance to prove himself once and for all.
The Advocate in Full Effect
Face it, if I was worried I wouldn’t watch. I am so confident in the Rockies that my brain should be examined. If you ask some random Rockies fan their response would be in a state of panic.
Of all trades, I do not think there really is a viable option besides a reliever. I think if Helton comes back and Hawpe finds his strokes, the offense will be fine.
The key right now after losing to Pittsburgh is to pound them the next two games like there is no tomorrow.
Tulo Return Will Bring a Spark
Well, with Troy Tulowitzki’s return. the Rockies are now in position to string together some wins to get back into the playoff race. Tulo and being back home are a plus to provide a spark for the team as a whole.
One more thing to watch for is Ubaldo Jimenez’ next start. Playing against a weak Pirates team will give him a greater chance to succeed and therefore will be a key in his confidence.
With Troy Tulowitzki’s return, the Rockies offense improves greatly with Barmes out of the lineup. Say goodbye to pop up after pop up. Barmes has hit well lately, but it is a matter of time before he goes back to his usual self. I like Barmes, but you know what they say: “Ya gotta do, what ya gotta do.” Later.
Season Thoughts #1
This is getting to the point of being straight up ridiculous. The Rockies ability to perform on the road is bothering me big time. I was still confident after losing the first two at Philly, but now am worried. Losing a game like that on Sunday is plain unacceptable.
With the road struggles, is there a way the Rockies can bounce back? Of course. With Tulowitzki on the verge of coming back and the Rockie returning home, the Rockies can come back. It all starts with effort, not that it wasn’t already there. and clutch hitting. If those two factors are there, the Rockies will explode to a elite team.
Don’t worry Rockies fans the pitching will get more consistent, Ubaldo will regain form, and when that happens the Rockies will wake up and become a contender once again.There team is too good not to be a force in the NL West.
East Coast Bias
I listened to Friday’s addition (7/9/10) of ESPN’s Baseball Today podcast hosted by Eric Karabell and Seth Everett. Karabell made a reference to the teams that were nagged by injuries that should be better than they are.
The teams referenced were: the Cardinals, Phillies, Red Sox, and that’s it. I guess he has no knowledge of the Rockies’ injuries. In fact, one may argue that the Rockies have had the biggest key injuries this year that have been detrimental to expected success.
I’ll overview the Rockies’ injuries this season:
- Jeff Francis, Jason Hammel, and Jorge De La Rosa (that is 3/5 of the rotation; thankfully they’re healthy now, but the games they missed have affected the record now).
- Continuing on Matt Daley, Taylor Bucholz, Franklin Morales, and Huston Street of the bullpen have been down (Franklin has struggled so it was probably a good thing he was injured(now in AAA), Bucholz was dominant in ’08 and didn’t pitch in ’09 or not yet even in ’10; Street has finally came back)
- Helton, Tulowitzki, Brad Hawpe, Carlos Gonzalez, and Eric Young Jr. have missed plenty of time. The four best offensive players on the team have missed time and Karabell doesn’t even reference the Rockies as an injury plagued team.
I’m sorry. I should of known all along: EAST COAST BIAS!
Capabilities
This, the Rockies performance, is bothering me. They have a good lineup. Except Clint Barmes, well at least he hits a lot better with RISP than Tulo, Helton, Smith, Hawpe, Cargo…yeah, yeah, yeah.
If the Rockies can take a simple breather, they can go ahead and win at a more consistent rate. What people forget is the fact that they have won more than they lost. At one point 3/5 of their starting rotation was gone and their closer. Greg Smith was coughing it up, and still they sit at 30-29.
I have seen some fans commenting on the Rockies who have hit the panic button. No, don’t panic. The Rockies aren’t playing to their capabilities, but they have good players. Todd Helton still works the count and gets on base. He’ll get it figured out. Cargo hit the ball hard almost every time and plays good defense. Tulo is playing good. Smith is good. Hawpe is good. Olivo and Iannetta are good. Barmes is good defensively and gets a lot of key hits. Ian Stewart has lots of hidden potential that is gonna’ ’bout to unleash. Stay calm people.
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