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Opening Day (maybe): Francis vs Wainwright

Colorado Rockies @ St. Louis Cardinals


2007 was just an appetizer. It's time to move onto the second course. As of right now, whether a game gets played at all seems a bit iffy given St. Louis' weather situation -much of the Midwest is rather wet right now- but we'll put the thread up nonetheless. Why can't Mother Nature understand where her priorities should be today?

Okay, so the bar's been raised this season, everybody will need to step up to make certain that this season is as successful or more than 2007:

Willy Taveras: Needs to be in at least 140 games. I hope 150. If we see too much of Scott Podsednik, we could be in trouble.

Troy Tulowitzki: In his sophomore season, Tulo needs to be more consistent offensively.  I'm pretty confident that his year at the plate will come in north of the projections I've seen. Combined with similar confidence in Jayson Nix, I think this is a big part of why the Rockies are being too heavily discounted this season by some.

Todd Helton: The Toddfather just needs to keep on getting on. Everything else will work out so long as he keeps that OBP in the top 5 in the NL.

Matt Holliday: I don't what we should be expecting, but something akin to last season seems about right.

Garrett Atkins: I'm expecting a small decline by Garrett offensively, and stagnation on defense. Stepping up for him in my book would be maintaining his 2006-2007 performance at the plate with a defensive improvement.

Brad Hawpe: Hit well against LHP's

Yorvit Torrealba: Taking a few more walks, being a bit more selective would be huge for our chances. Yorvit hits some of the division's best pitchers surprisingly well, and he's notoriously bad against junkballers. He can't let the guys with bad stuff beat him as often.

Jayson Nix: My expectations are pretty high for Nix compared to what most people seem to be penciling him in for. I honestly think he can get between 15-20 HR's this year and a healthy amount of doubles. That said, a lot of his value will come in forcing opponents to deal with the ninth slot.

Bench: As long as our bench keeps us from pining for the starters is a good start. If we're considering jumping off of high buildings or bridges with every injury, we'll want to rethink our depth chart.

I'll do something similar come Wednesday's thread with our pitchers, but right now I'm just eager to see my Rockies playing again in games that matter.

Go Rockies!

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So I would assume

you expect Nix to compete for the RoY award?

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

by Russ on Mar 31, 2008 1:12 PM MDT   0 recs

I do, actually

I think his experience gives him an edge similar to Fukuodome's and he doesn't have to deal with the culture shock. Add in more national scrutiny for the Rockies this year and a small effect of voters feeling bad for denying Tulo in '07, and Nix looks like a surprisingly strong candidate. I don't think he gets any better going forward and he's entering the league at his peak, performance-wise, but I think that peak is a bit better than what he's being given credit for.

by Rox Girl on Mar 31, 2008 1:20 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

I am hungry

and will need to eat sometime this evening instead of skipping to watch the game, as I had planned. But now I am trying to plan very carefully, as I am sure that if I leave to go eat, the game will start without me.

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 1:18 PM MDT   0 recs

I have to be at work :-(

I can only get gameday. Stupid Job! But I am going to the home opener on Friday.

The Purple Reign has begun....

by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 31, 2008 1:21 PM MDT   0 recs

Which is more than I get to do

I'm on Gameday only until late May. Grrr.

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 1:22 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

KOA

You could always listen to the coverage on KOA, at least until they cut it off. It starts in just a minute. And postgame, too.

by holly96 on Mar 31, 2008 1:30 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Jeff & Jack

It's so good to hear Jeff & Jack talking Rockies baseball again.

They'll be talking to Hurdle, Ringolsby, Nix, etc. Woo!

by holly96 on Mar 31, 2008 1:34 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Least you have it...

I just found out with the new updates to Gameday, it's now blocked here at work. Excuse me real fast, I'm gonna go kill the IT guy...

Just keep walking down the path boys...

by MattTheRock on Mar 31, 2008 1:47 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

You could try

to translate the webpage through Altavista's BabelFish...that used to get me past the filters back in high school.

Formerly rockiesfan06 - but the world's most generic username just wasn't cutting it.

by SC Memphis Raines on Mar 31, 2008 1:51 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Give sportsline a shot.

Their live scoring deal is actually pretty good.

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 1:51 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

I got lucky with opening day...

Except I'm in a luxury box.

I don't even know what to do with myself.

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 1:41 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Pregame shoq

I'm watching the pregame show on FSN Midwest - and there's no rain in St. Louis at present. Looks like it might start at any minute, but for now, there's no tarp out, and all systems are go for first pitch.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 1:31 PM MDT   0 recs

It looks like the band of rain is currently traveling on a northeastern path just skirting St. Louis, but could cross the city's plane at any time. I'm staying optimistic, though.

by dogs on Mar 31, 2008 1:41 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Pregame ceremonies at Busch

They keep playing that damned "King of Beers" jingle. CONTINUOUSLY. And each player is being driven to the field in a convertible.

Also, the Cardinals have somebody named "Rico Washington" on their team. Sounds like a name for a bad guy on Miami Vice.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 1:49 PM MDT   0 recs

Hell

They did the car bit when they won the World Series, but they're doing it when they were (to be charitable) not that good last year? Interesting.

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 1:50 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes...

OMG I THINK IT ENDED!

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 1:51 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Rico...

People complain about the length of time Nix took to get to the bigs, should check him out. He'll be 30 before Memorial Day and is making his MLB debut today.

by Rox Girl on Mar 31, 2008 1:52 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Awesome

I had not known that about Rico. Wouldn't have dogged him if I had. That's pretty excellent, and now I hope the guy makes his debut as a pinch hitter today and hits a meaningless single in the ninth inning of an 11-2 game.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 1:53 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

I hate you all

I know I keep saying that, but I can't hear. SO TELL ME WHAT THEY SAID!

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 1:53 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

They said.

"Now taking on your Cardinals are the 2007 National League Champions, the Colorado Rockies"

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 1:54 PM MDT   0 recs

That does sound good

Except they should say (and will at Coors) "Now taking on your 2007 National League Champion Colorado Rockies are the St. Louis Cardinals!"

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 1:55 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Has anyone..

ever been to the new Busch stadium?

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 1:55 PM MDT   0 recs

I'm going on Wednesday

I'll be seeing Game 2 of this series.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 1:56 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Did they move the statues?

Of Stan the man and the others? I toured the old Busch about 6 years ago and was impressed by the statues. I was also impressed by all the Mark McGwire 70 homerun material, I suppose they didn't set up any of that stuff again?

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 1:58 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

I suppose they did

Again, haven't been yet. I can give you more detail once I make it there, but I presume they were able to move everything.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 1:59 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

This could be a highlight...

Unleashing the Bald Eagle.

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 1:56 PM MDT   0 recs

very classy st louis

no booss..... and gentle claps for our boys.... im inperssed

hop on the rockies roller coaster

by roxfan4life on Mar 31, 2008 1:56 PM MDT   0 recs

STL has always been great.

Nothing but diehard and gentle fans there.

Really beats the rest of the midwest, actually.

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 1:57 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Do not bring up to me

the fans of those tools in blue on the North Side, who themselves are bigger tools than the tools they love.

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 2:01 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

You guys earned the respect of us Cards' fans

I cannot think of a better team to succeed us as N.L. Pennant winners...good luck this year (after this series!!!)

by tbell61 on Mar 31, 2008 4:14 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Would be nice

If the FSN Midwest feed would stay on my TV. Unfortunately, I just know they'll black it out and I'll have to go the MLB.tv route. And so far, I'm less than thrilled with the MLB.tv feature - you can't go full screen, which sucks, and the 1.2 MB stream freezes after two minutes if you're lucky to get that far into it.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 1:56 PM MDT   0 recs

Full screen

I'm seeing the same freezing problems with the 1.2 MB stream, but you can go full screen...just pass your mouse over the video and click on the icon on the right-hand side.

Formerly rockiesfan06 - but the world's most generic username just wasn't cutting it.

by SC Memphis Raines on Mar 31, 2008 1:58 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

That ain't no full screen

I want my entire screen to be utilized. It was so easy to do that last year, and my laptop functioned essentially as a 14" TV. I will not stand for having 1/4 of the screen unused.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 2:00 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Slingbox

is a nice way around MLB.tv. Hooked one up at a relative's house in Denver while I was back for Christmas. A bit of a pain to set-up, but I have a clear Fox Sports Rocky Mtn feed on my computer in Chi-town.

Longtime foosball partner of Dante Bichette

by honestyinmotion on Mar 31, 2008 2:01 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Slingbox + MLB Extra Innings

Is the greatest combination ever.

Slingbox classic runs $80 right now. Can't recall the extra inning price on directtv though.

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 2:02 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Full screen

Just pass your mouse over the video and click the icon on the right-hand side...fullscreen.

Formerly rockiesfan06 - but the world's most generic username just wasn't cutting it.

by SC Memphis Raines on Mar 31, 2008 2:06 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

If you use firefox, there's an extension called MediaPlayerConnectivity that lets you watch embedded video in Windows Media Player--in full screen.

by dogs on Mar 31, 2008 2:07 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Tried that

Couldn't get that to work, for whatever reason. I understand the software can get a bit buggy in the first few days, so I'll let them work some things out before I start getting upset.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 2:08 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Can you see the video yet?

I'm just getting the blue screen for the Cards and Rox...

Formerly rockiesfan06 - but the world's most generic username just wasn't cutting it.

by SC Memphis Raines on Mar 31, 2008 2:11 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Means they're at a break

I'm watching it on local TV instead - caught a break today.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 2:11 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

I forgot

how much I don't get work done on baseball days. I'm shot for the rest of the evening. Hope I don't have any homework. (It's Opening Day. It's not gonna happen).

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 1:59 PM MDT   0 recs

I skipped class today.

Only missed one, but still, I need to keep up with all the pre-game activities.

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 1:59 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Jack is interviewing Nix on Koa

Says Lance has been supportive and helpful in the big league transition.

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:00 PM MDT   0 recs

Nix also said...

Spilly has been a good friend through the minors and Matt has really helped him with his game. He's looking forward to today and expects it to be a special day.

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:03 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

I thank you muchly

for all the telling me what's going the hell on. I really, really appreciate it.

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 2:04 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll be damned

Looks like the local FSN - and the campus's DirecTV feed - might stick with this game after all. That would be wonderful.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 2:01 PM MDT   0 recs

Wow...

I don't mind country music, but this opening is a bit silly.

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 2:03 PM MDT   0 recs

Hey everybody.

I'm here in Boston and back on the Row (though I'e been reading all offseason) and I'm just giddy with excitement. If only it weren't cold and raining here (and there), it might actually feel like spring.

by potterhead4 on Mar 31, 2008 2:04 PM MDT   0 recs

From the ESPN game...

Denny Bautista - eighth inning setup man for your Detroit Tigers. And still the worst overbite in baseball.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 2:06 PM MDT   0 recs

Wainright is hitting 8th?

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:06 PM MDT   0 recs

One of LaRussa's

funny ideas. Adam is a good hitter for a pitcher, though.

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 2:07 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

I guess...

That gives Pujols more RBI chances on his second turn through the order.

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:08 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

9th?

I just heard them say that. Then who's hitting 9th? Is Wainright a good hitter?

by holly96 on Mar 31, 2008 2:07 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Our old friend Miles

is hitting 9th, and yes, as mentioned above, Wainwright is a very good hitter. In fact, he probably IS better than Miles.

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 2:09 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Aaron Miles bats eighth

The rationale behind this has nothing to do with Wainwright's hitting ability. In theory, Miles will act as a 'second leadoff hitter' in front of the dynamic duo of Skip Schumaker and Ryan Ludwick.

In theory.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 2:09 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Miles, Schumaker, Ludwick

We really should beat that. If we don't, I will be upset.

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 2:10 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Sounds like...

A CPA firm not a lineup

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:11 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

You'll see the Brewers do the same thing this year

With Kendall batting ninth.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Mar 31, 2008 2:11 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Really is just a silly switch.

It works out just as much as the other way around. Their line-up is pretty bad anyways.

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 2:09 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

I might have to change channels....

For that "music video".

yeck

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 2:10 PM MDT   0 recs

Jeff just said

The tarp was rolled out, and then suddenly removed.

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:11 PM MDT   0 recs

omg not good...

Rox lip synching....

DON'T LIKE...

Also, what's with the country music theme?

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 2:12 PM MDT   0 recs

They just announced the starting lineups...

Matt Holliday is starting in left? Who's that guy?

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:13 PM MDT   0 recs

Never heard of him

And where did this Tulawistzki kid at short come from? Isn't Barmes our starting SS?

by Silverblood on Mar 31, 2008 2:14 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Must've imported him...

From the latin development league

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:15 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Jeff Francis

What? They allow Canucks across the border to play beisbol?

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Mar 31, 2008 2:15 PM MDT   0 recs

Just another example...

Of foreigners taking our jobs.

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:16 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

What's the deal?

MLB.TV is showing nothing. Has the game started?

by Tom (RFTN) on Mar 31, 2008 2:16 PM MDT   0 recs

Worse...

I'm getting the 'your request is being processed' thing.

by potterhead4 on Mar 31, 2008 2:18 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

They're probably waiting til 4:15 to turn it on.

by dogs on Mar 31, 2008 2:19 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Same problem....

by dogs on Mar 31, 2008 2:18 PM MDT to parent up   0 recs

Strike one

inside corner

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:17 PM MDT   0 recs

Yes...

Centerfield basehit

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:17 PM MDT   0 recs

WOO!

WILLY!

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 2:17 PM MDT   0 recs

Jack is comparing

Molina vs WillyT as the best arm vs the fastest basestealer in the NL.

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Mar 31, 2008 2:19 PM MDT   0 recs

cxc

Stolen Base to come.

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Mar 31, 2008 2:19 PM MDT   0 recs

I like Tulo here.

Willy on base, Helton behind him...

Tulo is gonna have a solid season at the dish.

by roxintober on Mar 31, 2008 2:19 PM MDT   0 recs