Beard Shavings

Greetings Rockies fans! The Rockies clubhouse is brimming with wins and with beards, and I have been busying myself with both. After another winning road trip, the Rockies are headed home today to start the Most Important Two Weeks Of The Season. Four games with the Giants (currently 2 games back of the Rockies in the wild card standings). Then, three games with the Dodgers (currently 3.5 games ahead of Colorado in the NL West Standings). Then, on the road for three more games with the Giants.

By the end of August, Rockies fans, we shall know a great deal about this team. Are they pretenders who have been lucky enough to pile up wins against the likes of the Nationals and Pirates? Or, are they a truly Beard-worthy team this season, capable of winning their first NL West division title? The next two weeks will tell us much.

If the Rockies struggle in these upcoming series, they will find themselves 3-4 games back of the Giants/Marlins in the wild card. If they play these games around .500ish, they could emerge still holding on to the wild card lead by the skin of their teeth. Or they can win these three series, and find themselves entering a relatively easy (and home-heavy) September leading their division.

Will they need the September schedule to play catch-up, caught in the midst of the 5-team wild card race? Or will they use those games to pad a lead over the Dodgers, possibly even to gain a home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs?

Many around the baseball world have called the Rockies "streaky," but as usual, few of these people are informed. Since the day Jim Tracy took over this team, there is not a 10-game stretch in the season in which the Rockies have been less then a .500 team. But that will mean little if they cannot win these vital games with their closest division and playoff rivals.

The Beard hopes that you will enjoy these games! With the power of Ryan Spilborghs' Beard at their side, the Rockies begin the final march towards the 2009 postseason. And I, The Beard, will see you there!