Sunday Morning Rockpile:

by Rox Girl on Sep 7, 2008 8:18 AM MDT in Rockpile

Last night's loss isn't entirely a death knell, but it does tie the team's hands for next weekend's series against the Dodgers (winning all three is about the only option) and adds just a little more pressure from the rapidly winding down clock. Let's hope we don't have many more performances like the one Roy Oswalt came up with to look forward to in the final three weeks of the season.

I'm still in the boat that this end of the season mini-run was too little, too late, but it does have me looking forward to 2009. Part of the reason for this is the plain awfulness of the Diamondbacks despite having three really good pitchers. The D-backs simply aren't a better team than the Rockies right now. The Dodgers are a better team, but that's largely thanks to their addition of a few players (like one M. Ramirez) that will be free agents this winter. Manny's really liking Los Angeles, I'm a bit concerned that he'll re-sign with the Dodgers, so I'm hoping that in signing him they're forced to make some trade-offs and get weaker at other positions. It's going to be an interesting winter to watch, but I still see the Rockies in an excellent position for 2009.

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I agree, as long as...

We don’t sell off Atkins and especially Holliday for prospects this offseason.

by Since1993 on Sep 7, 2008 1:01 PM MDT 0 recs

Only if

If we don’t trade one or both this offseason we aren’t going to be able to acquire the kind of starting pitching we need to be relevant next year (or any year).

by MADness on Sep 7, 2008 5:03 PM MDT up 0 recs

A couple of things

Mark Kizla’s column this morning takes on DOD’s comments about the team, and their reaction to it. I love this comment from Willy T:

“I’m not happy where we are in the standings because we’re a better team than we’ve shown.”

Uh, Willy – no you’re not. To borrow a quote from Bill Parcells (I think): “You are what your record says you are.” That pretty much sums up this season for me.

The other thing I’m wondering about is a stat thing. As you all know by now, I don’t do stats, so I’m depending on some sabermetrician here on the Row to provide me with some enlightenment.

I know that there are stats for pitchers in high-leverage situations, but are there comparable stats for hitters? This question came to me during the game today, when CDI came up to bat with runners on 2nd and 3rd and two out. Supposedly, his average in that situation is .437. Who wouldn’t take that? BUT….given the game situation, 7th inning or so (I really don’t remember now), he couldn’t come through. And we’ve seen the same from others this season as well. (And I’m not trying to pick on CDI. Love the guy.)

Now we all know the Rox have not been good with RISP this year. Yet a few players seem to have a decent “average” in those situations. But, getting a hit with RISP in the first through, say, fourth inning seems different to me than getting that hit in later innings, say the 7th and 8th, when the game is riding on it. Higher leverage, as it were. As least I think that’s what the term means.

If such a stat exists, I’d love to know where the Rox stand. Thank you in advance for your help.

Put me out of my misery. Please!

by rockhead on Sep 7, 2008 5:47 PM MDT 0 recs