Monday Rockpile: You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?

by Rox Girl on Aug 31, 2009 8:43 AM MDT in Rockpile Comment 59 comments

Jim Tracy gets to earn his money this week as managing a winning team that's clicking on all cylinders isn't as hard as jump starting one that's fallen into the rut of finding new ways to lose every game. The Rockies had a bad week against stiff competition. They now get a homestand plus a series in PETCO Park against teams that should be easier to beat before getting a rematch against the Giants in AT&T. In the crucial ten games against their main competition in the NL West, the Rockies wound up going 4-6. They now have thirteen non-crucial games where they are presented a golden opportunity for making up lost ground. Troy Renck says 10-3 should be the goal and generously gives the Giants 7-5 over the same period leaving the Rockies up 2.5 games in time for the next series in SF. If we go 10-3, I really think our lead heading into that series will be sweep proof this time.

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Tulo cussed out by Giants fans

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 31, 2009 9:10 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I think we make some hay against the weaker sisters of the league

and go into ATT next weekend up 3 or 4 games. But does anyone else worry that we would likely have a devil of a time winning a playoff series (and yeah, I realize that’s a high class problem to have). We struggle against good pitching, and are only 34-38 against teams over 500.

by moomacher on Aug 31, 2009 9:40 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

The strikeouts are a concern

But wasn’t there a study done recently on World Series winners? It seems they all play right around .500 ball against good teams and beat the living daylights out of the average to bad teams.

It’s all a crapshoot, you just have to win the winnable games and see what happens from there.

by Muzia on Aug 31, 2009 9:57 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's the concern about strikeouts

for my edification. I mean, I know they strike out a lot (I believe they’re on pace for a franchise record). But overall, the team also scores a lot. It’s one of the more successful offensive seasons in team history.

I’m sure different people mean different things when they say they’re concerned about all the K’s. Is it in specific situations, against good pitching, overall, etc.? I’m curious. Do we really have a worse record against good pitchers or good teams than we should? I’m not denying this, it’s just that I don’t know what sort of record to expect.

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

by FooMan on Aug 31, 2009 11:36 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the idea

is that we would score a lot more if we were putting the ball in play more. I mean, as we learned this week, you can get a double by doing nothing more that hitting the ball straight up in the air, or any of a million other random ways. But mostly, its just really frustrating to watch.

by Teekalong on Aug 31, 2009 11:52 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

For me, it's the guaranteed holes in the lineup.

I know that several key pieces of the lineup are slumping right now, but we are a very strikeout-prone offense in general. Productive outs are few and far between right now and the offense is suffering because of it.

I am less concerned about it happening against good pitching, because good pitching will usually win. The inability to put the ball in play, and make something happen, is concerning.

My $0.02

by Muzia on Aug 31, 2009 11:53 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

It's a concern, but...

I’d like to get there first, of course. And once we do, I think we revisit the issue. Teams can get hot/cold for the playoffs, so it’s hard to tell from here. As for the 34-38 record, well, that comes right after losing 5 straight to > .500 teams, so naturally it looks bad.

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

by FooMan on Aug 31, 2009 11:04 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

This season, I'm happy just getting to the playoffs.

Like others say, maybe we’ll get hot or something once we are there, but I don’t think is a World Series ring or bust season. I think the Rockies major goal for now is just prove they can be year to year contenders.

by Rox Girl on Aug 31, 2009 11:34 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Making the playoffs any way possible is the goal. To me, this season will be a success even if we don’t make it, so long as its a strong push and not a September fade. I’ll worry about the playoffs when they start.

by Teekalong on Aug 31, 2009 11:54 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can't worry about the playoffs until they start

Who knows who you’ll be playing? They’re such a crapshoot once they begin, and it hardly matters who’s been hot when against who. (If that made ANY sense at all).

by Squeaky on Aug 31, 2009 11:56 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just for the record, the Pirates signed Jorge Julio to a MLC

I’m very amused by this

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 31, 2009 10:00 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

If Pirates' GM

shouldn’t have been fired for the Morgan-Milledge trade, he certainly should be for this move. BTW, Denny Bautista was recently called up by Pirates, too.

by moose14 on Aug 31, 2009 10:19 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't think that was so awful of a trade, the Morgan-Milledge

I fully acknowledge Morgan’s performance with the Nats (up till his crippling) and Milledge’s character issues, but Morgan would probably peak and decline before the Buccos were actually competitive again.

haha denny bautista, what a guy

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 31, 2009 10:45 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

We can laugh now...

But if Holliday had been called out in Game 163 and Rox failed to score, Bautista would have been pitching the next inning. I remember looking out at the bullpen and he was warming up…not a reassuring sight at all.

by alex colfax on Aug 31, 2009 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Julio is a couple of teams away from playing for all 29 other teams...

…and that’s just since he was on the Rockies in 2007.

Just an average guy with exceptional hair. Nothing more, nothing less.

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Aug 31, 2009 10:24 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

this post is very funny.

Rec’d

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 31, 2009 10:46 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts about the weekend?

The Rox brought on the sadness for sure.

But, sh*t happens. Go get the Mets and Reds and what not.

I absolutely refuse to panic unless we finish the upcoming ten game stretch any worse than 6-4. Seriously.

Just an average guy with exceptional hair. Nothing more, nothing less.

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Aug 31, 2009 10:18 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

I'm confused about the caption

Cargo reacts after a foul tip as Whiteside picks the ball off the ground for the out

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 31, 2009 10:29 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

Yeah...makes me a bit curious.

Just an average guy with exceptional hair. Nothing more, nothing less.

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Aug 31, 2009 11:03 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

There was no "tip"

he missed the ball, catcher then tagged CarGo out. The caption is all messed up.

by Redhawk on Aug 31, 2009 11:21 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I probably should have taken some time to correct it.

The AP tends to make a lot of mistakes with those, I’ve noticed.

by Rox Girl on Aug 31, 2009 11:36 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That and

the Purple Row Coaches corrections are always amusing.

"We made too many wrong mistakes." ~Yogi Berra
"The ballplayer who loses his head, who can't keep his cool, is worse than no ballplayer at all." ~Lou Gehrig
JFK

by jrockies on Aug 31, 2009 11:45 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had Taco Bell for lunch yesterday

but even that couldn’t help the Rockies avoid the sweep!

"DAMMIT! No, calm down. Learn to enjoy losing." --Hunter S. Thompson

by PioneerSkies on Aug 31, 2009 12:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

well, you did what you could

this is because I washed my jersey. I just know it.

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 31, 2009 12:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think they've been on a losing streak because I bet a co-worker lunch...

…that the Rox would win the series against the Dodgers. They’re 1-5 since I made that bet, and I’m not usually a gambler :/

Just an average guy with exceptional hair. Nothing more, nothing less.

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Aug 31, 2009 2:17 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could an admin promote a fanshot to the front page?

Or re-create one and delete mine? Tom Tango said he hasn’t received many evaluations on Rockies’ players for his annual “Fans Scouting Report” on fielders. I created a fanshot linking the 2009 survey, and I think it’s worthwhile to promote it so Row fans can provide their input on Rockies (and other) players.

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

by FooMan on Aug 31, 2009 12:42 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, to whoever placed it on the main page

Hopefully they get a few more votes on the Rockies players.

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

by FooMan on Aug 31, 2009 1:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

mm

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 31, 2009 2:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Went and voted

and Tulo is the best ranked SS in the game :-)

Gladly sharing a name with Dexter Fowler!

by ShadowPenguin on Aug 31, 2009 2:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

did you vote fairly?

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 31, 2009 3:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

But of course

Granted, I skipped the outfielders because I didn’t feel I could judge their jumps or footwork fairly. Oh, and whats with having the catchers on the list? Only thing you can really rate them on is blocking balls in the dirt and throwing to second.

Gladly sharing a name with Dexter Fowler!

by ShadowPenguin on Aug 31, 2009 4:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brad Penny

Just heard he’s signing with the Giants, but can’t find a link (and don’t have a lot of time to search). If/when someone finds one, I’m thinking a FanShot would be in order.

by holly96 on Aug 31, 2009 1:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I can haz purps list?

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 31, 2009 2:58 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I can haz Pebble Report?

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Aug 31, 2009 3:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can haz Burn?

Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
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by Andrew Martin on Aug 31, 2009 3:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ooh, I see what you did there.

You are just so clever, aren’t you?

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Aug 31, 2009 5:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

you didn't phrase it as a lolcat

You can haz Not Playing Along

Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
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by Andrew Martin on Aug 31, 2009 9:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can haz yo mama?

Yeah, lolcat is what it is.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Aug 31, 2009 9:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn’t it feel great entering September and we dont have to win every single game to get to the Playoffs?

BEAT NY! BEAT NY!

by prettyinpurple on Aug 31, 2009 4:02 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Today is a good day for a day off

Get em home, relax, and hopefully get everything straightened out and back to playing good ball in September.

Gladly sharing a name with Dexter Fowler!

by ShadowPenguin on Aug 31, 2009 4:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, it's good for the team

Not so good for those us miss their daily baseball fix and are wondering what to do with themselves this evening. ;-)

I'll have another beer, please.

by rockhead on Aug 31, 2009 5:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I quite agree

Not even Monday Night Baseball on…

by Squeaky on Aug 31, 2009 5:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

well if this helps...

and I guess it depends on whether you have MLB Extra Innings…but Dodgers v Dbacks at 7 PT.. That will have to be my watered down fix..:)

by SDcat09 on Aug 31, 2009 6:17 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

the answer is

homework of course :)

"We made too many wrong mistakes." ~Yogi Berra
"The ballplayer who loses his head, who can't keep his cool, is worse than no ballplayer at all." ~Lou Gehrig
JFK

by jrockies on Aug 31, 2009 6:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, that's a good point..

I guess I should use the time to get that resume done…ugh..

Thanks, taskmaster!

by SDcat09 on Aug 31, 2009 6:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep,

I need to hand my thesis adviser some pages on Wednesday.

/goes off to write.

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Aug 31, 2009 6:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't have any homework

though I can do some KYF writing I guess

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 31, 2009 7:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

No homework yet...

But as soon as I get back to NYC I’ll have…um…a lot. I’m taking way too many classes. (And who’s fault is this? Mine, of course…)

by Squeaky on Aug 31, 2009 7:52 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay, so I'm off task already...but but

Andy Pettite perfect game through 6 innings bottom of 7th against the O’s

by SDcat09 on Aug 31, 2009 6:48 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Now a no-hitter.

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Aug 31, 2009 6:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anot that anymore.

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Aug 31, 2009 6:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

those things blow up fast

by SDcat09 on Aug 31, 2009 6:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

welp, back to the resume

/grumble grumble

by SDcat09 on Aug 31, 2009 6:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, perfect game gone...error on Hairston

but no hitter still intact

by SDcat09 on Aug 31, 2009 6:54 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

never mind no hitter gone

by SDcat09 on Aug 31, 2009 6:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lol

“Troy Renck says 10-3 should be the goal and generously gives the Giants 7-5 over the same period leaving the Rockies up 2.5 games in time for the next series in SF. If we go 10-3, I really think our lead heading into that series will be sweep proof this time. "

Come on, this guy is going to “generously” give the Giants a 7-5 record but 10-3 should be a completely realistic goal in the same time?

I’m not saying it won’t happen, but the Giants are actually a good team (excuse me while I throw up), and to expect them to go 2 games over .500 while the Rockies go 7 games over .500 in the same time span is kinda ridiculous.

…Almost as much as saying the Dodgers had the West won in June

by Ivdown on Aug 31, 2009 6:55 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

10-3 should be a realistic goal in the same time for the Rockies?

fixed

by Ivdown on Aug 31, 2009 6:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You have to look at the schedules.

Giants go on the road (where they have not done very well) against the Phillies and Brewer and then have 3 games against the Padres followed by 3 against the Dodgers. 7-5 seems pretty generous to me.

Rockies have 10 straight games at home against the Mets, Dbacks, and Reds followed by 3 at Petco.

So yeah, looking at the schedules, the Rockies have a clear advantage over the Giants until the two meet up again.

by holly96 on Aug 31, 2009 7:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs