Sunday Morning Rockpile:

by Russ Oates on Apr 13, 2008 8:38 AM MDT in Rockpile

Clint Hurdle is considering making a few changes to the lineup today, according to this short entry from the Denver Post. So who gets the day off? Do we see Tulo sit, even though he says he doesn't want to? A change to the outfield this time around? The possibilities are not endless, but maybe Hurdle will get a hit with today's lineup. And no, I don't mean the 'H' column will have a '1' in it. I mean a lineup that collects a bunch of hits and scores enough runs to win today. I know I was just setting that joke up for someone.

Once Kaz Matsui puts his problems behind him and returns to the Houston lineup, the Rockies, Troy Renck speculates, could inquire into Mark Loretta's availability. Renck also notes that O'Dowd concedes that any long-term contract with Holliday will have to start at $100M. And have you forgotten that the Diamondbacks won a World Series in 2001?

Todd Helton hasn't lost his humor: " 'I have one ab now,' said Helton when asked about his trimmer, leaner physique." There are also updates on Redman and Vizcaino in that article.

Time for Cook to continue on his path to a breakthrough season this afternoon.

Tweet Comment 21 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

any guesses...

on the lineup changes?

My guess...it will involve Barmes getting the start. Although, I'm not sure if it will be at 2B or SS. He hit well yesterday and is a proven Hurdle favorite.

I'm no Barmes fan, but at this point I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world, provided it doesn't become a regular thing.

by DenverBears on Apr 13, 2008 9:50 AM MDT reply actions

Lineup does need a change

I really think the lineup should get adjusted to somewhere like this for today:
1. Willy Taveras - CF
2. Clint Barmes - 2B
3. Todd Helton - 1B
4. Matt Holliday - LF
5. Brad Hawpe - RF
6. Garrett Atkins - 3B
7. Troy Tulowitzki - SS
8. Chris Iannetta - C
Or something, I don't know. But we can't really continue to have Tulo hitting 2nd if he is just going to get weak outs without moving runners up. Heck, usually there are no runners for him to move up though. But yeah, he needs bumped down for now.

by TehChamp on Apr 13, 2008 10:56 AM MDT reply actions

And Clint Barmes is the answer?

I guess we really don't have any better options there.

by Tom (RFTN) on Apr 13, 2008 11:09 AM MDT up reply actions

What about just sliding helton up to #2

and drop Tulo down to 6. Obviously it shortens our lineup a lot, but I'm not sure who else we have than can hit second.

by moomacher on Apr 13, 2008 11:32 AM MDT up reply actions

Well...

Barmes did all right the other day when Hurdle shook up the lineup. I do hope Iannetta's in there again...even though he did go 1-4, how can you possibly except him to perform if you let him start once every ten days?
I think Tulo should be dropped to the 8hole, definitely. I guess we'll see.

by Squeaky on Apr 13, 2008 11:35 AM MDT up reply actions

Here's what I'd like to see

Taveras CF
Baker 2B
Holliday LF
Helton 1B
Atkins 3B
Hawpe RF
Iannetta C
Barmes SS
Cook P

Every day is a Holliday!

by free7694 on Apr 13, 2008 11:53 AM MDT reply actions

You know...

I wouldn't mind that, either. It looks good.

I'm kind of mad that the game starts at 2 MT, because I'll be home at 3:30 and I'll probably have to watch it...when I really NEED to be writing a rather important paper for government class. Oh well...

by Squeaky on Apr 13, 2008 12:00 PM MDT up reply actions

My fantasy Line up

Podsednick RF
Barmes-SS
Helton-1B
Holliday-LF
Atkins- 3b
Baker-2B
Torrealba-C (Iannetta caught yesterday)
Cook P
Willie T -CF

yeah this has the radical Pitcher in the 8th hole....but geeze I want to really shake things up.

What am going to do with all these "Jeff Baker for 2nd" bumper stickers?

by Redhawk on Apr 13, 2008 12:05 PM MDT reply actions

Ideal Sunday lineup?

1. Taveras- CF
2. Baker- 2B
3. Holliday - LF
4. Helton - 1B
5. Atkings- 3b
6. Hawpe- RF
7. Barme- SS
8. Torreabla- C

I think that this would help protect Holliday and let him see some better pitches, as well as get better pitches for atkins or Hawpe.

Come ROX, get some clutch hits today, esp. with runners in scoring position.

by ColoroxWS07 on Apr 13, 2008 12:15 PM MDT reply actions

I dunno

Personally, I don't think Baker is any better at the #2 slot than Tulo.
I have never liked Helton hitting cleanup as well.
Maybe really shake things up and go like this:
1. Taveras
2. Helton
3. Holliday
4. Atkins
5. Hawpe
6. Baker
7. Barmes
8. Pitcher
9. Torrealba

by TehChamp on Apr 13, 2008 12:21 PM MDT up reply actions

um....looking at the line ups

everyone has submitted so far, it looks like we are tired of seeing Nix at 2nd.

What am going to do with all these "Jeff Baker for 2nd" bumper stickers?

by Redhawk on Apr 13, 2008 12:18 PM MDT reply actions

and looks like...

people want to sit Tulo for the day.

by Squeaky on Apr 13, 2008 12:22 PM MDT up reply actions

My lineup:

1. Taveras
2. Baker
3. Holliday
4. Helton
5. Hawpe
6. Atkins
7. Barmes
8. Iannetta
9. Pitcher

by Squeaky on Apr 13, 2008 12:34 PM MDT reply actions

Ignoring plenty of good advice...

Here is Hurdle's good idea:
1. Willy T
2. Barmes
3. Helton
4. Holliday
5. Atkins
6. Hawpe
7. Torreabla
8. Nix
9. Cook

That is NOT a shake up!! I protest!!!

by Squeaky on Apr 13, 2008 12:58 PM MDT reply actions

Yeah, looks like just more of the same with Barmes in Tulo's spot, and Atkins and Hawpe switched back to their original slots.

Although it causes me pain, I guess it does make sense to give Nix a longer look before giving up on him. He's only had 25 AB's so far.

by dogs on Apr 13, 2008 12:59 PM MDT up reply actions

Yes...

but why would you want to shake anything up against a hot team? Like give your other catcher another look (heaven forbid), flip some people, add in a few eye poppers?

by Squeaky on Apr 13, 2008 1:01 PM MDT up reply actions