Next Stop - Chavez Ravine
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 17, 2009 9:41 AM MDT
in Know Your Foe
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PrintIf it seems like the Rockies have had a lot of off days - they have. Colorado has played in just eight games thus far; only Washington and Cincinnati have played as few in all of MLB. Hopefully the added rest will be to their advantage as the open yet another road series, this time against the pre-season divisional favorites.
Los Angeles Dodgers (7-3, W5, t-1st in NL West)
Friday-Sunday : 3-game series at Los Angeles
As mentioned in a previous installment, the Dodgers project to have the best offense in the division - even better than Colorado. That has held up - they are 3rd in the NL in runs. It was their starting pitching that was supposed to be the weakness, but ten games in, the rotation looks solid.
Take a whiff of their rotation's rankings so far in 2009 in all of MLB:
| SPs | Stat | Rank |
| ERA | 3.02 | 4th |
| Wins | 5 | 2nd |
| Ks | 51 | 2nd |
| Avg | .166 | 1st |
Then again, San Diego, Arizona and San Francisco - their opponents thus far - are weak offensive teams.
After splitting a four game series with upstart San Diego, the Dodgers lost to Arizona with their fifth starter on the mound Since then, they have reeled off five straight wins and sit atop the division. In doing so, Los Angeles has recorded a +25 run differential, which is second in the major leagues to Toronto.
Probable Pitchers:
Today, 8:10pm MDT
The battle of the lefty wild cards: Randy Wolf has looked great so far - Jorge de la Rosa was shaky to say the least last Friday.
Saturday, April 18, 1:40pm MDT
The battles of the pseudo-aces: Chad Billingsley has looked like a world-beater so far, but Aaron Cook is due for a good outing and will should enjoy a pitcher-friendly park.
Sunday, April 19, 2:10pm MDT
The battle of the young righties: Ubaldo Jimenez tries to show it really was the cold that "threw him off" while James McDonald attempts to maintain his spot in the rotation.
Lineup:
This line-up has helped produce eleven more runs than any other NL West team so far.
| Player | Avg | HR | RBI |
| Furcal | .244 | 1 | 4 |
| Hudson | .366 | 2 | 5 |
| Ramirez | .258 | 0 | 4 |
| Loney | .324 | 0 | 8 |
| Martin | .200 | 0 | 5 |
| Ethier | .265 | 2 | 8 |
| Kemp | .371 | 1 | 7 |
| Blake | .200 | 3 | 8 |
When a team has a strong middle of the lineup, it's always scary when the other hitters come in hot. Orlando Hudson (.366/.353/.659), who whipped Frisco for a cycle Monday, is backing up RMN's unyielding pining for O'Dowd to sign him - he is leading the stacked offense in slugging. Seven-hole hitter Matt Kemp (.371/.410/.600) is off to a nice start, and 8-hole hitter Casey Blake (.200/.268/.486) leads LA in HR and RBI. Los Angeles is relying heavily on Jonathan Broxton (1.80 ERA, 0.20 WHIP, 3 SV) and Chad Billingsley (2-0, 2.08 ERA, 0.85 WHIP) this year, and both have responded.
Rafael Furcal (.244/.295/.366) and Russell Martin (.200/.317/.286) are starting slow out of the gates. Hong-Chih Kuo (0-0, 6.00, 1.33), Guillermo Mota (0-0, 8.10, 1.80) and Sunday's starter James McDonald (0-1, 13.50, 1.80) have struggled, but they barely combine for one game's worth of innings thus far.
Opening Day starter Hiroki Kuroda is already on the disabled list last Friday with a left oblique strain - he'll be eligible to return April 22 but will will need additional time before retaking the mound in Dodger blue. Infielder Tony Abreu will miss three to six weeks with a high ankle sprain.
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Now I feel bad
I voted that the Rockies would only take two out of the three (which I would definitely be happy with) and then the poll results show that not a single one of the first fifteen voters though the Rockies would sweep. OH Rowbots were is your faith, then again where’s mine.
by Chacinisthefuture on Apr 17, 2009 10:07 AM MDT reply actions
Looking at the pitching match-ups
I see one win that I’m very confident of, Ubaldo bouncing back against the young fast-fodder, or fooder or whatever. And then the other two games could break either way, If good Jorge shows up we can win that one, and hopefully Cook will assert his ace status on this team.
by Chacinisthefuture on Apr 17, 2009 10:11 AM MDT reply actions
Did anyone else
see Kershaw’s start the other night? Granted it was against SF, but I’m quite happy we won’t be facing him this weekend. Unfortunately, we will be facing him for the next 10 years and that doesn’t look too good for us. What a talent.
Over/under on Billingsley Ks on Sat? I’m guessing 9, but maybe I’m giving our boys too much credit.
JDLR needs to bring the mental A-game tonight. That place is going to be filled to capacity and crazy. Manny is going to look to get loose. Beautiful day here in LA today, too bad its not an afternoon game…
I have Billingsley on my fantasy baseball team
And these are the game I hate, do I bench him in faith of the Rockies bats exploding or do I put him in cause he is a pretty stinking good pitcher.
by Chacinisthefuture on Apr 17, 2009 10:21 AM MDT up reply actions
Chavez Ravine may well be packed but
they’ll show up in the 3rd inning and leave after the 6th.
Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?
Author: Jim Bouton
by pedalpusher on Apr 17, 2009 10:38 AM MDT up reply actions
So the key is
To gain confidence through the first 3 innings, coast the next three, and finish them the last three then.
by Chacinisthefuture on Apr 17, 2009 10:44 AM MDT up reply actions
Yeah
the worst thing to happen to Dodger stadium was losing Gagne. That guy kept everyone in the seats until the end of the game.
The Friday night games like this, though, are becomin an exception because they pushed back the start time to 7:30. Generally packed from the start. I’d expect 48,000+ tonight. JDLR…come on buddy. Keep it between the ears.
Probably won't work.
Fireworks aren’t ironic.
Listen, this signature line is a big part of who I am.
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 17, 2009 1:35 PM MDT up reply actions
We saw Kershaw make our team look pretty foolish in AZ
I think he’s in line to pitch against us at Coors next week, so let’s hope the altitude makes that nasty bender of his a little less effective.
I went to the game last year when Kershaw pitched at Coors...
and he had a rocky outing, ending up in a Rockies win.
Eschew Obfuscation!
by Jeff Aberle on Apr 17, 2009 12:41 PM MDT up reply actions
a ROCKY outing?
/rimshot
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum - But be warned I only actually "tweet" every....well, not often.
by Andrew Martin on Apr 17, 2009 1:46 PM MDT up reply actions
the game where he hit a HR on his 21st birthday?
Aut Vincam Aut Periam
by PioneerSkies on Apr 17, 2009 1:50 PM MDT up reply actions
I would not be shocked if Kershaw ends up with a more successful career than Lincecum
He’s outright scary. I was at the game this spring where he held us hitless (or close to it) and hit a home run. He and Billingsley have been outright nasty thus far.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 17, 2009 10:55 AM MDT up reply actions
Neither would I
I saw Kershaw in one of his first games in the bigs at Coors last year…my reaction was “this guy? he’s no great shakes”.
He’s all that and a loaded bowl of nachos.
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year", Rox Girl 1-11-2009
too bad its not an afternoon game…
I’ve had my fill of afternoon games here in the early going.
Aut Vincam Aut Periam
by PioneerSkies on Apr 17, 2009 1:51 PM MDT up reply actions
Question
Should we consider a .500 April a grand success? I think with the competition we have and will face this month that if we can get even 1 game within .500 we have done a great job. Especially compared to last year.
I certainly will
Hell, I’m thrilled to be 4-4 right now considering the competition. If we break even on this road trip and win the six-game homestand at the end of the month to end up 11-10, I can definitely dig it.
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
by Franchise26 on Apr 17, 2009 11:22 AM MDT up reply actions
I don't know about "grand" success
It would definitely be a success though just because of the schedule, a grand success would be finishing over .500 and within a game or two of the lead if not in the lead.
by Chacinisthefuture on Apr 17, 2009 11:28 AM MDT up reply actions
I was thinking the exact same thing
I am hoping we can get through these next 6 games at 3-3 and I figure getting 1 from LA and 2 from the D-Bags would be nice. After that we will see some more home games and against teams that are more beatable.
I have to say, I just love the patience at the plate that this team is showing. It looks so different from the last couple years, now we gotta start hitting and I think we are in for a good offensive season.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
Especially Tulo.
However, there is no hope for Barmes. The guy just won’t exercise patience. Come on Clint, just do the right thing and move Ian to 2nd full time.
Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?
Author: Jim Bouton
Definitely
Considering the Road heavy schedule and the number of games against 2008 playoff, and potential 2009 playoff teams.
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
Quick question
What defines a potential 2009 playoff team? aren’t all team potential playoff teams. Just a funny thought whe I read that.
by Chacinisthefuture on Apr 17, 2009 11:31 AM MDT up reply actions
I think that the Washington Nationals have already been mathematically eliminated…
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
I actually wanted to make a
joke about the Royals too – but I wouldn’t be shocked to see them come out of the AL Central – assuming their offense shows up – losing Gordon won’t help though. The Pirates are probably out of it as well, and the Padres – although anything can happen really.
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
The Padres
are 2 games ahead of the Rockies atm.
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year", Rox Girl 1-11-2009
We're clearly homers for the Rockies here,
But at least none of us are suggesting we can trade Chrisitan Colonel for Roy Halladay. Some Dodger fans seem to think Xavier Paul or Blake Dewitt are fair compensation for him, it seems.
do you think they would ever really consider halladay?
As a fan I would love to see him come home and become our true ace. But if you had to lay percentages on the chances of this happeneing what would you say? 1%? 10%? 50%?
by cocainelips99 on Apr 17, 2009 12:38 PM MDT up reply actions
Well if the Jays keep winning
I’d say 0%. Right now the AL East standing look upside down which is refreshing.
by Chacinisthefuture on Apr 17, 2009 12:47 PM MDT up reply actions
If the price is right
I think the Jays would trade Halladay. But it would take at least 3 prime prospects. Halladay is not a spring chicken and by the time the Jays get enough young players through to rebuild he’ll be a Free Agent….but it would speed up the Jays rebuilding to turn Halladay into several young prospects
I’d say 40%…
When did his contract end? was it 2010 or ’11?
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year", Rox Girl 1-11-2009
I should point out
that Halladay will be 32 next month on May 14th.
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year", Rox Girl 1-11-2009
and by prospects
The price tag right now would look something like:
Ian Stewart
Will Roserio
J. Chacin
for Halladay
Still want him?
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year", Rox Girl 1-11-2009
The Jays
would have to throw in somebody
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year", Rox Girl 1-11-2009
well toss in blake dewitt and you clearly have the sum of the above listed talent
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum - But be warned I only actually "tweet" every....well, not often.
by Andrew Martin on Apr 17, 2009 1:48 PM MDT up reply actions
Are we assuming
that JP Ricciardi is smart or dumb though?
Because if it’s dumb..
“hey we have this keith weiser and…”
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum - But be warned I only actually "tweet" every....well, not often.
by Andrew Martin on Apr 17, 2009 1:58 PM MDT up reply actions
2010
And he makes almost $16mil next year
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
Even if
a team could come up with the prospects…they also would have to have the salary/budget room.
The Rockies don’t have that kinda cash.
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year", Rox Girl 1-11-2009
Depending on
economic factors, the state of the rotation and such, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them make a play for him in the offseason when he is a free agent. I imagine he wouldn’t be looking for more than 3 or 4 years at that point. Who knows.
Related – I dont’ see the team adding much during the year – unless as RG says Atkins or Hawpe get unloaded – even then i’m not sure they would necessarily add anything.
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
as a FA
I could see. Helton’s contract wlll be off the books by then. The Rockies will have a some cash freed up.
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year", Rox Girl 1-11-2009
Helton's contract is not up until a year after Halladay's.
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
Halladay's making $14.25 million in 2009, $15.75 million in 2010
The Monforts have said they can’t add payroll, so my guess is that even if they could add payroll they really don’t want to, so trading for Halladay would probably have to be preceded by certain conditions:
1) A large amount of wins that sees Coors Field relatively packed in late May, early June and the Rockies in contention
2) Other salary traded from the team, such as Atkins, Hawpe or a Street/Torrealba type of combination. This would mean that Fowler and Stewart continue to perform well for the next couple of months and that McKenry is breaking out on the farm. It would also mean that the aforementioned players are performing at a level that makes them desirable to other teams.
In all, I’d say less than five percent, one percent sounds about right, actually.
So, in other words...
you’re saying there’s a chance?
"Admirably obsessive." - Uni Watch, March 24th, 2009
I was thinking more of something along the lines of...
Christian Colonel and a bucket of fried chicken to the Dodgers for Billingsley. Maybe they would be so kind to throw in Kershaw just to balance things up.
by Chacinisthefuture on Apr 17, 2009 1:12 PM MDT up reply actions
half a bucket
and we got a deal.
Aut Vincam Aut Periam
by PioneerSkies on Apr 17, 2009 1:56 PM MDT up reply actions
please don't read
the DP comments…
Aut Vincam Aut Periam
by PioneerSkies on Apr 17, 2009 3:17 PM MDT up reply actions
I think you guys will Win 1
Jimenez against Jimmy Mac is a major mismatch. I Wish the Dodgers Would trade Russel Martin and some top prospects for Halladay. The reason Why Martin hasnt matched his rookie year is because of his late Night partying, What a douchebag… I wish the Rockies luck against teams other than the Dodgers
Thanks
little do you know that all of that late night partying is with undercover Rockies fan sent in to ensure he has a “good time.”
by Chacinisthefuture on Apr 17, 2009 3:27 PM MDT up reply actions
I think that's what we've got to look for as Rockies fans
Win the one game we have the clear advantage with and then hope to sneak one out of the two that we don’t. I don’t know if we have to win Friday or Saturday, but I do want the Rockies to tax your pitchers all weekend. The Giants made it too easy on them, 127, 136 and 139 pitches thrown in the Dodgers sweep for a total of 302. The Rockies saw 30 more pitches than that in just two games against the Cubs, they have to continue that kind of peskiness at the very least.
Didn't you read Simers
saying Martin’s new girlfriend has curbed his wayward ways? We’ll see how much of that is true.
Hmmm....
You guys made Fox Saturday Baseball this week.
Insert witty and/or humorous signature here.
and of course I'll be missing it because of my brother's play
stupid family commitment
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum - But be warned I only actually "tweet" every....well, not often.
by Andrew Martin on Apr 17, 2009 7:59 PM MDT up reply actions
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