Tuesday Morning Rockpile: It Can't Be Wednesday Soon Enough

by Russ Oates on Feb 26, 2008 8:00 AM MST in Rockpile

We're just a day away from some baseball action. Jeff Francis, in addition to being named the Opening Say starter, will start tomorrow's Cactus League opener and pitch for two innings. Fifth starter candidates Josh Towers and Mark Redman will follow Francis. Towers should unveil his new split-fingered fastball on the White Sox. John Koronka and Ryan Speier are also scheduled to appear in tomorrow's game.

We might see Hurdle flip Holliday and Helton for tomorrow's game. This coming not even a week after Hurdle told reporters that he wants his best hitter in the three hole. Neither player seems all that concerned with experimenting with the change, and this isn't like saying Nix will bat eighth and then have him bat cleanup.

Maybe tomorrow we'll also be able to judge how loose the team is. Loose on the the base paths, not loose in attitude (unless someone did invent that looseness scale over the last week).

So, enjoy this video while we wait for the game. Or not.

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Comments

First off...

At that video, :(
Personally, I've been trying to go through possible lineups for the Rockies in my head, and I think Holliday needs to stay at #3.
Helton, though, should not be batting 4th. I've been thinking, and maybe the best scenario would have this:

Willy Taveras
Todd Helton
Holliday
Atkins
Hawpe
Tulowitzki
Torrealba/Iannetta/Nix/Baker
same

Although, I really do love Tulo hitting in the 2 spot. I just really don't want to see Helton hitting 4th because if last year shows you anything, he isn't really the run scoring man he used to be. He is perfect at getting on base though, and moving runners along at this stage in his career.
We'll see what Hurdle wants to do though.

"This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings." -- Bill Veeck

by TheChamp on Feb 26, 2008 8:09 AM MST reply actions

Hirsh?

So Hirsh is starting the Home Opener?

by rockieprogress on Feb 26, 2008 10:28 AM MST reply actions

You and Roxgirl are obsessed

with these Marlin overweight boosters. This is the second posting on this topic I have seen in the last week.

Go to the Rocks page and re-live the Helton homer against Saito. Turning point in the season last year and still brings chills to the spine.

On a side note. I have been watching my DirectTV package that has all the local FSNs and local networks for the teams for the last month. All have had either Hot Stove shows, rewind classics, or in the case of the Red Sox live coverage of spring training.

The FSNRM has shown nothing. The Broncos suck, the Avs suck and the Nuggets are talented but clueless on team ball. The Rockies are the best show in town and we see nothing (even the Spring Training opener is not televised). They need to generate more interest and put more buttocks in the seats to pay these guys their money. We get nothing. Would you rather watch CU basketball or Rockies Spring Training?

by PinchHitLancePainter on Feb 26, 2008 10:50 AM MST reply actions

And the REALLY odd part of this

is Fox Sports Rocky Mountain is a part owner of the Rockies. Since they lost the Nuggets and the Avs, you'd think FSRM would be wanting to push there one and only big league club.....which is coming off it's best year in it's history.

I miss Kaz! He really could Rock-a-Rhyme, even if it was Tricky

by Redhawk on Feb 26, 2008 11:40 AM MST up reply actions

FSNRM

Is reading minds, I think. Check the new diaries posted by them.

2007 National League Champions, baby!

by rockhead on Feb 26, 2008 1:53 PM MST up reply actions

Hey

Don't diss too much on my Buffalo basketball team. We're about to turn the corner! The potential is there! Good things are just around the bend!

...is baseball on yet?

by oo_nrb on Feb 26, 2008 1:04 PM MST up reply actions

IIRC

NESN (the New England Sports Network, which covers the Red Sox) is not part of the Fox Sports umbrella, so they don't have programming dictated to them by anybody up top. That could explain why their spring training is so good.

For what it's worth, Fox Sports South here isn't showing much on spring training, instead showing the International Fight League, the Grizzlies, and the Predators. Not that they'd be talking about the Rockies anyway.

http://mvn.com/mlb-rockies: The best thing to happen to baseball since 1993.

by Rox Fan in TN on Feb 26, 2008 2:02 PM MST up reply actions

WOO HOO!!!

Cactus League Opener and I'll be at it!!! I've got my plane tickets, flying into Phoenix early tomorrow morning, drive on down to Tucson, pick up my friend from Chicago there, and then watch some baseball for a week.

Finally it's here.

Waiting for the second coming of Kaz...

by MattTheRock on Feb 26, 2008 11:11 AM MST reply actions

I hate you

I just had a happy moment of YAY!! at realizing games start tomorrow, and then that was followed very quickly that I won't have the chance to see the Rox in person until May.

But still, I don't care if it's spring training, YAY. When I'm home for spring break, I'll get to watch some of them on TV, and by then, they might have kicked out most of the rust.

"Everyone was running up to me, saying, 'Manny! Manny! I signed a lot of autographs and got to eat for free. It was bueno."

by Silverblood on Feb 26, 2008 11:38 AM MST up reply actions

Not ST Opening Day

I do not get to see the Spring Training opening but in a week and a half I will be down there on my spring break. I am excited. This is going to be fun.

GO ROCKIES!!! JFK

by jrockies on Feb 26, 2008 1:28 PM MST up reply actions

In the useless signing department,

Neifi Perez inked a minor-league contract with the Rockies. Unless you'd actually prefer him over Barmes for the utility spot.

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

by Russ Oates on Feb 26, 2008 12:05 PM MST reply actions

oh, wow...

I always like Neifi, but good lord, I also hated him. He always had a sort of uppercut in his swing causing him to pop out a LOT.
Fantastic defense though, but sort of annoying at the plate.

"This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings." -- Bill Veeck

by TheChamp on Feb 26, 2008 1:27 PM MST up reply actions

I love

Neifi Perez. Too bad the bloom is off that rose, and he's past his prime, even as a back up guy.

I miss Kaz! He really could Rock-a-Rhyme, even if it was Tricky

by Redhawk on Feb 26, 2008 1:34 PM MST up reply actions

Useless in terms

of actual competition since he won't be in one. There should be something about his future with the team tomorrow, likely a role in player development.

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

by Russ Oates on Feb 26, 2008 8:13 PM MST up reply actions