Saturday Rockpile: CarGo update, Who starts Tuesday?, Marquis enjoying success, more

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Aug 29, 2009 9:02 AM MDT in Rockpile Comment 36 comments

Tracy wants to take advantage of Young's speed - The Denver Post
In addition to Patrick Saunders' profiling Eric Young Jr.'s blazing speed, the article perhaps more interestingly mentions that the Rox are likely considering Brandon Hynick or Russ Ortiz to pitch on Tuesday, along with kicking around the idea of skipping the fifth starter altogether and just running Jorge De La Rosa out there. It will be interesting to see what the club decides to do. Also, Saunders says Carlos Gonzalez's chances of playing this weekend appear slim. Meanwhile, Tracy Ringolsby says it definitely WON'T be Josh Fogg making the start on Tuesday, and that CarGo could be available to play defense tonight and possibly be in the starting lineup tomorrow.

Rockies should worry about Giants, not Dodgers - MLB News - FOX Sports on MSN

In the Cowboy's national piece for FoxSports.com, he talks about how the Rox were setup by the Dodgers, who were struggling heading into the series at Coors Field but promptly took two of three from the previously-surging Rockies. Once they get through this tough part of the schedule, the Rox will only play teams with winning records in 9 of their final 31 games, in addition to playing 19 of those 31 contests in Denver. So, things still set up very well for them. As Jim Tracy says in a quote at the end of the article, the Rockies have "got to keep trudging forward."

Jason Marquis having a remarkable season for Colorado Rockies - ESPN
The national attention continues for the Rockies, despite the small losing streak the team is currently enduring. ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian's piece details Jason Marquis' success at Coors Field, and throughout the season altogether.

Helton flashes the leather - The Denver Post
What a play by the Toddfather on Randy Winn's hard-hit ball down the first base line last night. Ironically, the piece also mentions the Rockies' blunder on Juan Uribe's 8-foot pop fly.

Armstrong: Tracy, Rockies deserve credit - The Denver Post
A quote from former Rockie Jeremy Affeldt:

"You've got to give them credit. With Francis, Fuentes and Buchholz gone, you would have thought they would be in a pretty big hole. I don't know a lot of other teams that could have survived that."

Michael Young, Brian Roberts best players to not reach postseason - Tom Verducci - SI.com
In this article about the stuff listed in the headline, SI.com's Tom Verducci also discusses top left-handed relievers in the NL West. Franklin Morales and Joe Beimel are no Hong-Chih Kuo and George Sherrill, but they definitely hold their own. Check out the piece for statistical comparisons, etc.

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Interesting that Affeldt mentions Fuentes and not Holliday

especially when Holliday netted a closer in return. Also, the Rockies shouldn’t worry about anyone. Just win games and we’ll be in there

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 29, 2009 9:17 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, with Affeldt being a pitcher, the Rockies pitching staff was probably the first thing on his mind.

He certainly knew those guys and their contributions.

by WolfMarauder on Aug 29, 2009 12:46 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

PANIC!!!!

….right?

(tongue in cheek)

by Squeaky on Aug 29, 2009 9:20 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

No need to panic

I’ve got my towel, have you got yours?

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

by Mondogarage on Aug 29, 2009 9:47 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who doesn't?

It’s the most massively useful thing ever!

"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Aug 29, 2009 9:52 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mondo, I always took you for frood who knows where his towel is.

Nice confirmation.

"Don't tell me about the world. Not today. It's springtime and they're knocking baseballs around fields where the grass is damp and green in the morning and the kids are trying to hit the curve ball." -Pete Hamill

by Bryce on Aug 29, 2009 10:23 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

the rockies towel is dirty

and needs a trip to the dry cleaners.

"What I speak out of my mouth is the truth. It burns like fire."

by WalkInRight on Aug 29, 2009 12:13 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've got mine!

BEAT LA! BEAT LA!

(Thanks to Denver Nuggets fans)

by prettyinpurple on Aug 29, 2009 1:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

WOOOO HYNICK

Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS

Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish

by Andrew Martin on Aug 29, 2009 11:21 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Whoever it is, I hope they have help ready

And have a quick hook. I’d prefer Hynick over Ortiz, probably more out of curiosity and the possibility of Hynick actually having a future with the club.

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 29, 2009 11:28 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

be ready for the Hynick Maneuver?

/in a good way

"What I speak out of my mouth is the truth. It burns like fire."

by WalkInRight on Aug 29, 2009 12:32 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, we are choking

Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS

Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish

by Andrew Martin on Aug 29, 2009 10:21 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

NBC Sports article on the Rockies

Here’s a pretty good article on the Rockies by Tony Demarco of the NBC Sports website.

Let’s play "did you know this?" about the Colorado Rockies, because apparently, a lot of people still don’t:
Did you know that since June 1 — three games after Jim Tracy replaced Clint Hurdle — the Rockies have the best record in the majors?

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 29, 2009 11:25 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

did you know they play on the moon

Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS

Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish

by Andrew Martin on Aug 29, 2009 11:35 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did you know the Rockies are sponsored by Coors

and the roster is comprised entirely of women players?

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 29, 2009 11:46 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

ah, the silver bullets

I thought about trying out for them. Now I’m sad.

/over it quickly

"What I speak out of my mouth is the truth. It burns like fire."

by WalkInRight on Aug 29, 2009 12:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

In ~~the future~~ Coors Field there will be no war. There will only be Rollerball.

"What I speak out of my mouth is the truth. It burns like fire."

by WalkInRight on Aug 29, 2009 12:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously, though, it's a decent article

I thought I’d link it since so many here complain about lack of coverage from national media.

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 29, 2009 12:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was a good article

Thought it was interesting how he brought up ESPN. We have had an amazing run with Tracy. We just need to continue to play the fundamentals and be agressive at the same time.

by butterfly on Aug 29, 2009 1:08 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was a good article

I just expect “did you know” to be stuff that Chip Caray was just discovering in 2007, such as the fact that a humidor exists and Larry Walker has retired

Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS

Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish

by Andrew Martin on Aug 29, 2009 10:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still see NO reason whatsoever not to skip the spot.

Seriously, is there any downside to this whatsoever? All the pitchers will get full rest. No roster move will need to be scrapped up right before callups. Just skip the spot altogether, people.

by WolfMarauder on Aug 29, 2009 12:47 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

The only downside is if the coaching staff thinks the starters need the extra day of rest

Otherwise, I’d be in favor of it, too.

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 29, 2009 12:48 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Agree

why should we bother trying to find another spot starter when we have the day off to just be able to skip that spot anyways? The last 2 spot starters was Fogg and Chacin, and they both cost us those games. So why even risk the possibility of losing another game?

by Colsportsfan on Aug 29, 2009 12:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

After a long season, the off days can give all the pitches and extra day of rest. And who doesn’t feel better after a 3 day weekend?

BUT: If I were doing it…I’d skip the spot on Tuesday, as right after that the Rockies will have extra pitchers. At that point, they can do all kinds of stuff, like having the starter, only go a few innings, throw an extra starter in to give the same effect as an off day. Go with all relievers for a game. There is no law that says the guy that starts the game HAS to go 5 innings, who cares what pitcher gets a win…so long as the team does?

by Redhawk on Aug 29, 2009 1:20 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'm getting more and more comfortable w/ Hynick

making that start. I would like to se how he fares. He is pitching in the most difficult environment in baseball and pitching well. I know we are talking major league hitters and all that stuff, but I like the idea, unless we skip it altogether.

I’m not sure how much it’ll hurt the Sky Sox since they seem to be having problems w/ him right now.

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

by smokinRox on Aug 29, 2009 1:42 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

This is true

despite his high tRA, it’s not adjusted, and he’s a positive pitcher right now.

A 4.45 FIP with a sub-1.00 HR9 and an almost 2.00 K/BB is pretty decent.

He has a virtually identical Home/Road FIP, and while he’s not getting much for groundballs, he’s suppressing line drives well and getting a lot of popups.

He’s having trouble against LHB (walking far too many of them) but his lines should at least translate to a spot start.

Count me in on Hynick.

Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS

Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish

by Andrew Martin on Aug 29, 2009 10:27 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

who ever pitches tuesday

just do better than Fogg did last start please…and oh yeah we BETTER win tonight

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

"TuLoRocks2008 had the most comments I've seen in any game thread this year (322)...Can such a feat be eclipsed?" ..... Bring it on!!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Aug 29, 2009 3:11 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Reds had the bases loaded with no outs and couldn't get any runs home.

Dodgers still lead 5-4.

by holly96 on Aug 29, 2009 4:09 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Blue is now beating Red(s) 11-4

Saaaaad Trombone. But I’d be joyous if the same score happens in our game…as long as we are on the “11” side

"I shoot so many 3's because I can't shoot 4's" -Antoine Walker

by LACK on Aug 29, 2009 5:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glad you are watching the game,

me too! Can you tell me anything about the announcers (FSN)…One seem to anti-Rockie.Oh poo, 3run homer LA 10, Cin 4.

by butterfly on Aug 29, 2009 4:50 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

kemp destroyed that ball

hate to say it but we woke up the Dodgers last series

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

"TuLoRocks2008 had the most comments I've seen in any game thread this year (322)...Can such a feat be eclipsed?" ..... Bring it on!!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Aug 29, 2009 4:51 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

They lost yesterday.

I don’t think we can be sure about that just yet. Could just be bad Cincy pitching.

by holly96 on Aug 29, 2009 5:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea not saying that cincy's pitching is good

just saying i feel that they are about to go on a nice streak to possibly put the division away unless we play well…i hope we split these next 2 games at worst then 7-3 or 6-4 home stand…preferably 7-3…i’d like to be 80-61 after the 10 gamer…go rox

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

"TuLoRocks2008 had the most comments I've seen in any game thread this year (322)...Can such a feat be eclipsed?" ..... Bring it on!!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Aug 29, 2009 5:19 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably Eric Karros

x-dodger who works for fox and always hates on the rox on the rare occasion they actually show one of their games (and apparently even when they are not).

Just like Broncos games always seem to have one ex-raider covering the game, the rox seem to get ex-dodgers whining about them…

"What I speak out of my mouth is the truth. It burns like fire."

by WalkInRight on Aug 29, 2009 5:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really don't understand why

Fox sends Karros to do every Dodger game. He clearly has a bias from his playing days in LA.

Don’t know if anybody else caught them talking about the humidor last inning. Apparently the purpose of it is to store balls at a different temperature, and the outcome is that the ball being used in Denver is different than the balls being used in other parks. They use a different ball in order to compensate for the altitude.

They then mentioned that the Rox starters have the most quality starts in the majors, which was nice to hear. Just too bad that the timing made it sound like it is really a product of the special Coors Field humiballs….

by Junction Rox on Aug 29, 2009 5:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right about Karros, who is not particularly good regardless of the teams involved.

But his bias against Coors Field, oft-stated when he played, is curious and ironic in light of his extreme success playing here. He is fourth on the list of all-time homers against the Rockies (37) and a good many of them must have come at Coors. And he always hit well for average here, too. When he denigrates Coors Field, he’s knocking his own success.

by alex colfax on Aug 29, 2009 5:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs