Hello, dear readers. I must start this briefest of blogs by apologizing to you, and to the rest of the universe. I have not submitted anything to the blog page since the All-Star break, and is usually the case when I do not check in with you, the Rockies have played pretty poor baseball since then. I take full responsibility! It will not happen again.
Unless, of course, the Rockies decide to continue the flaccid, strikeout-prone hitting they've been doing lately. As discussed earlier in the season, the road has always been a difficult place for the Rockies to hit. This means that Rockies pitching must carry the load when on a roadtrip, and it hasn't done that recently.
If the Rockies' road hitting woes are centered around the fact that a ball breaks more sharply away from Coors Field, making it a difficult adjustment for hitters, I would like to see the Rockies develop a batting cage that can throw a superhuman breaking ball. Perhaps in Denver, such a machine could simulate the sea-level breaking balls the Rockies would face on the road, allowing them to get some batting practice against such pitches before seeing them live.
At any rate, the Rockies have three more games against Philadelphia. Taking all three of those games would finish this road trip and a respectable 5-6, and would likely keep the Rockies within 4 games of the Padres, who get the opportunity to beat up on the Pirates for a few days. With Roy Halladay out of the way, the Rockies have a somewhat easier task ahead of them, but Ubaldo must set the tone today, or all the excitement of the week leading up to the All-Star break will be lost with one of the most dissapointing road trips in recent Rockies memory.
-T.B.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF BEARD
Yes, Rockies fans, that was nine runs in the bottom of the 9th, one of the Beardliest innings in Rockies history. Tacos for everyone, and an unexpected "W" for the Rockies. We owe a big "thank-you!" to Tony LaRussa, for his inexplicable decision to leave his foundering closer in the game while the Rockies' lefties stroked hit after hit towards a hapless Randy Winn in right field.
As I said a few weeks, ago, my goal this year is to focus on Ryan Spilborghs, and let the rest of the team find their inner -- and outer -- Beards. They appear to be doing just that, at least at the plate. As Rockies starters begin to falter, the offense is starting to get going. Dexter Fowler, having been bored in AAA last month, has apparently decided he never, ever wants to go back. Barmes is celebrating his annual "Hitting Month." Herrera, called up to play 2B so Barmes can replace the injured Tulo at shortstop, is the sort of situational contact hitter this team has badly needed ever since Todd Helton retired. Giambi is starting to pull his substantial weight as Helton's backup, and Carlos Gonzalez looks like he gets better every week. And let's not forget last night's biggest hero, Seth Smith's Beard.
Yes, the Beard Factor for the Rockies is very high right now, despite Giambi's new clean-shaven look. Leading the way is Smith, whose beard rivals even Spilly's at its ferocious fullest. Other bearded Rockies in the lineup lately include Chris Ianetta (another big contributor to last night's victory), shoulda-been All Star Miguel Olivo, Gonzalez, Fowler, Ian Stewart, Spliborghs, and of course, Todd Helton. The more Rockies buy into this beard thing, the more games they will win. The universe understands the Power of the Beard, and the Rockies are beginning to see it, too.
As I said a few weeks, ago, my goal this year is to focus on Ryan Spilborghs, and let the rest of the team find their inner -- and outer -- Beards. They appear to be doing just that, at least at the plate. As Rockies starters begin to falter, the offense is starting to get going. Dexter Fowler, having been bored in AAA last month, has apparently decided he never, ever wants to go back. Barmes is celebrating his annual "Hitting Month." Herrera, called up to play 2B so Barmes can replace the injured Tulo at shortstop, is the sort of situational contact hitter this team has badly needed ever since Todd Helton retired. Giambi is starting to pull his substantial weight as Helton's backup, and Carlos Gonzalez looks like he gets better every week. And let's not forget last night's biggest hero, Seth Smith's Beard.Yes, the Beard Factor for the Rockies is very high right now, despite Giambi's new clean-shaven look. Leading the way is Smith, whose beard rivals even Spilly's at its ferocious fullest. Other bearded Rockies in the lineup lately include Chris Ianetta (another big contributor to last night's victory), shoulda-been All Star Miguel Olivo, Gonzalez, Fowler, Ian Stewart, Spliborghs, and of course, Todd Helton. The more Rockies buy into this beard thing, the more games they will win. The universe understands the Power of the Beard, and the Rockies are beginning to see it, too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)