Friday Rockpile: Rockies head west for nine-game road trip

by Russ Oates on Sep 11, 2009 7:32 AM MDT in Rockpile

Rockies sweep Reds, stretch streak to seven - Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
The Rockies have won seven in a row, but now a nine-game NL West road trip will test the Rockies' mettle.

De La Rosa ready to get back on track | ColoradoRockies.com: News
Jorge De La Rosa hopes that going to the video and meeting with Bob Apodaca will have helped him overcome the problems he had in his last start.

Bullpen trio throws zeros in six-inning stint vs. reds - The Denver Post
Jim Tracy praises his unheralded relievers for their performance yesterday.

Rogers set for debut as Rockies juggle rotation - The Denver Post
Esmil Rogers will make his major league debut this Saturday. It's been a winding journey for Rogers as he was a shortstop for three years before making the move to the mound. Also, there are updates on Cook and Street at the end.

Krieger: Rockies in rare role as front-runner - The Denver Post
Dave Krieger writes that the Rockies are in unfamiliar territory--actually having others chase after them. The one thing I disagree on with him is his position on how the Rockies arrive at the playoffs: Win the division or win the wild card? He's right that there isn't much difference there, but the Rockies still haven't won an NL West championship. Win one and then there won't be much of a difference in how to arrive at the playoffs.

The Rockies' postseason odds are now just under 92% at BP.

At 11 ET/9 MT, RockiesMagicNumber will have Part II of his interview with Marc Gustafson. Part I can be found here.

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The way I see it:

The Rockies have seven series left, and their goal should be to win all seven, or at least average two wins per series (a 14-7 stretch). This gives Colorado 95 wins, putting them definitely in the playoffs with a 70% chance of winning the NL West (so says this link).

It’s certainly doable even with our injuries. 95 wins or bust!

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Sep 11, 2009 7:56 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

I think this is a realist goal

it’s what I have in my head as well, but for a little different reason. If they can just focus on wining series, then they will have that mentality as they head into the post season. And if you win series there….well good things happen.

by Redhawk on Sep 11, 2009 9:19 AM MDT up reply actions

very realistic

i see us going 12-9 at worst and 15-6 at best….Go Rockies!

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 Sep 11, 2009 9:23 AM MDT up reply actions

Win 100 games!

But yah, 95 is a good number too

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

by LACK on Sep 11, 2009 6:22 PM MDT up reply actions

an exciting stretch coming up..

i was beginning to worry about the fish a bit, but looked at their remaining schedule.

they have two series left with Phillie (of course, the phils aren’t playing to well right now – in fact (cue John Kruk rolling in his grave) they are now behind the rox!!!), and some other tough games.

i’m tempted to look down the road, but things could be very interesting after this series with the Pads…

by RockyMtnCat on Sep 11, 2009 8:25 AM MDT reply actions

It will certainly be interesting to see where these teams stand at the end of the weekend.

If either the Dodgers or Giants sweep, it can change things dramatically, as it could if the Rockies get caught looking past the Padres and get clobbered in PETCO. I think the next six games could be crucial for how the rest of the season might turn out.

by Rox Girl on Sep 11, 2009 9:24 AM MDT up reply actions

yes no doubt

things can/may change drastically these next few series’s…hopefully we win 2 of 3 in SD and i don’t know who to root for i would say SF 2 out of 3 over LA i guess

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 Sep 11, 2009 9:26 AM MDT up reply actions

I'm actually hoping for a Giants sweep.

Even though I know it hurts our wild card chances, I just really really want that first division title and the thought of the Dodgers totally collapsing and missing the playoffs altogether thrills me to no end.

by Rox Girl on Sep 11, 2009 9:28 AM MDT up reply actions

yea lol i understand

i would LOVE to see it too…but even with what i said…if that happens we are only down 1 game in the division and hold the same WC lead going into the huge 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 Sep 11, 2009 9:30 AM MDT up reply actions

I guess all I want out of Dodgers/Giants

Is for each game to go 23 innings and for the pitching staffs to be completely worn out.

Really the outcomes don’t matter. If the Giants dominate, Rox have a chance to move closer in the division. If the Dodgers dominate, Rox can really cement the playoffs. If it’s a close series, then the Rox can be in a slightly better position vs. one of those teams.

Doesn’t change the fact that winning the SD series should be the biggest focus.

Funny Dog to Make Life Worthwhile

by frightened inmate #2 on Sep 11, 2009 9:40 AM MDT up reply actions 2 recs

exactly

well put that’s how i feel as well

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 Sep 11, 2009 9:53 AM MDT up reply actions

I just want the Giants

out of contention. Securing the Playoff spot is my first goal. So if we come out of this weekend up 5.5 on the Giants and still 2 back of the Dodgers I would be ok. then the Gmen can sweep while we win 2 of 3 from AZ. Remember the Dodgers have 7 left with the Pirates and 3 with the Nats.

by Roxfan24 on Sep 11, 2009 9:54 AM MDT up reply actions

Waiting for the Dodgers to fall on thier faces...

It’s funny how we keep hearing about how easy the remaining schedule is for the Dodgers, and yet they keep losing games they should be winning. I’m really hoping for the Pirates and Nationals to come in and see a perfect spoiler chance, and clean up on the Dodgers. How cool would it be for the Dodgers to end up 5-5 or less in those 10 games?

by Road_eo on Sep 11, 2009 10:06 AM MDT up reply actions

They totally could

and there starters arms are beginning to fall off, but the Pirates aren’t beating anyone. The flip side is the Cards will have clinched by the time we play them so we may miss Carpenter and Wainright. I want the division but we can’t overlook the next nine games. And i won’t really feel confidant unless we have a 1-2 game lead going in to the last 3 games. Like it or not they have owned us this year.

by Roxfan24 on Sep 11, 2009 10:14 AM MDT up reply actions

i'd love to see this

but i want to NAIL the playoffs first…

and that is most easily accomplished if the dodgers pound the giants into the sand.

or, if we pound the pads and giants…

hmmmmmmmmmmm

by RockyMtnCat on Sep 11, 2009 10:24 AM MDT up reply actions

Then the other goal never happens.

The Rockies really do control their own destiny as far as the Giants and the wild card go, all they have to do to clinch is lose no more than four games more than the Giants (and five more than the Marlins) do. At this point, that’s no longer an offensive, progressive goal, but a defensive and reflexive one. That’s no way to enter the playoffs. The division crown, on the other hand, requires a stronger push and winning the WC will be an automatic byproduct of going for it.

by Rox Girl on Sep 11, 2009 10:33 AM MDT up reply actions

I agree,

When we win the division, it will cause some of the naysayers to take notice and not be able to call us" lucky" or “flukes”. We are a very strong team and can do this !

The" butterfly effect ", which theorizes that a change in something seemingly innocuous, such as a flap of a butterfly's wings, may have unexpected larger consequences in the future, such as . . .winning the World Series.

by butterfly on Sep 11, 2009 11:06 AM MDT up reply actions

I think Tracy is focusing on exactly this

Master Obi-Win Tracy has expressed that same sentiment to not settle for “second-best,” which serves two purposes. First and foremost it puts pressure on LA (and SF) to keep winning at the same pace, and let them trip up along the way. Secondly, even if we just miss winning the division, they aren’t in a position of recalibrating their mindset in the playoffs back to their normal aggressive approach.

by SoxRoxFan on Sep 11, 2009 11:14 AM MDT up reply actions

I just see it the same way as I have

We need to win today. Every game isn’t a must-win, but we need to win today.

Provided we keep winning, we will do as well as we can. Nothing the other clubs do is in our control as long as we keep winning.

Mike McCoy Status: FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
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by Andrew Martin on Sep 11, 2009 11:34 AM MDT up reply actions

Just keep winning, just keep winning, just keep winning …

"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 Sep 11, 2009 11:42 AM MDT up reply actions 2 recs

win

Mike McCoy Status: FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Seth Smith Status: Bludgeoning Baseballs
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS

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by Andrew Martin on Sep 11, 2009 12:29 PM MDT up reply actions

one step at a time

and i could care less about the naysayers – let’s get to the playoffs, no matter how, and do our work then (hopefully with a lot of healthy bodies).

by RockyMtnCat on Sep 11, 2009 2:53 PM MDT up reply actions

Personally, I'll be rooting for the Giants to win if we win...

…and to lose if we lose.

I really want the division win, but I’d rather not lose ground in the playoffs.

As such, I hope to see the Giants win 2 out of 3, since that’s what I think we’ll do.

After all, we’re now closer to the Dodgers than the Giants are to us!

by Shoemaker on Sep 11, 2009 11:11 AM MDT up reply actions

I like this approach

I’m totally on board with RG’s desire to beat LA and get that elusive division win out of the way, but I don’t want the Giants getting too close. I’d love for the last series v. LA to be for the division…but I’d hate to need a series win there just for the WC.

by Teekalong on Sep 11, 2009 11:17 AM MDT up reply actions

Same.

Giants all the way. I’m always rooting for whoever’s in front of us to lose.

"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 Sep 11, 2009 6:38 PM MDT up reply actions

If anyone uses Shift-C

in the comments, there is a bug right now that is causing it to not work properly. The tech team is currently working on it.

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Sep 11, 2009 10:09 AM MDT reply actions

Woot! It's back!

I was seriously disconcerted by it’s lack of working the last couple days.

by holly96 on Sep 11, 2009 2:44 PM MDT up reply actions

Rogers Start

Any thoughts on Rogers getting the start on Friday over Chacin, is it simply because they want to keep Chacin available in the bullpen where he’s had some success, or are they just wanting to check Rogers out this year before ST where it seems we could have quite the battle for starting pitcher spots

by Chacinisthefuture on Sep 11, 2009 11:06 AM MDT reply actions

Based on Jim Tracy's post-game comments

I get the impression that he does not trust Chacin’s control in the majors yet. He was pretty adamant that Chacin would not be considered for a start and even said that he yanked Chacin early from yesterdays game because he did not like what he saw control wise.

I thought that Chacin had some decent success from the bullpen, although he gave up some walks, when he first came up, but after his one start, Tracy seems to be hesitant with him.

by ddavis539 on Sep 11, 2009 11:13 AM MDT up reply actions

That seems like a reasonable explanation

and concern on Tracy’s part. Going against SD, we need to make them earn every run they get. I imagine Rogers will have a very short hook if he starts getting wild, and the gameplan will be to make SD get hits. Can’t give them anything easy.

by Teekalong on Sep 11, 2009 11:19 AM MDT up reply actions

Rogers is starting Saturday

DLR is starting Friday.

Mike McCoy Status: FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Seth Smith Status: Bludgeoning Baseballs
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS

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by Andrew Martin on Sep 11, 2009 11:35 AM MDT up reply actions

My Bad

I knew that and for some reason typed Friday, maybe cause I’m so happy today is friday :)

by Chacinisthefuture on Sep 11, 2009 12:17 PM MDT up reply actions

haha TGIF

TGTERIP

Mike McCoy Status: FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Seth Smith Status: Bludgeoning Baseballs
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 Sep 11, 2009 12:30 PM MDT up reply actions

Do you think Tracy sees

something in Chacin’s control that worries him? It looked like Apodoca was not real thrilled with him either. ?

by butterfly on Sep 11, 2009 11:16 AM MDT reply actions

That was my assumption.

Chacin has walked at least one batter nearly every time he’s pitched for us this year.

I think they want to sit him and work on his control more, and not have him see multiple innings of action yet.

Tracy is probably figuring on having a bullpen day with Rogers’ start on Saturday, but thinks Esmil can get us off to a good start.

By the way, has anybody heard if Rogers is going to be limited to a particular pitch count on Saturday?

by Shoemaker on Sep 11, 2009 11:17 AM MDT up reply actions

He probably shouldn't have to be on a pitch count per se

Given he’s started all year, he’s probably going to be fine getting to 90 pitches. But if he’s throwing 23 pitches per inning, I don’t see him going beyond four….

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

by Mondogarage on Sep 11, 2009 12:26 PM MDT up reply actions

Just popped over to MCC

They were discussing replacements for Bochy next year, I recommended Hurdle.

"Good teams win games, horse**** teams have meetings." - Ozzie Guillen

by free7694 on Sep 11, 2009 12:45 PM MDT reply actions

That

is SO wrong…

The oxen are slow, but the earth is patient.

by rockieprogress on Sep 11, 2009 1:17 PM MDT up reply actions

My favorite MCC quote from the past couple of days:

The Rockies never losing a game was only supposed to be a joke!

by ddavis539 on Sep 11, 2009 1:21 PM MDT up reply actions

i'm surprised you didn't get banned for saying that

by Narcoleptico on Sep 11, 2009 5:21 PM MDT up reply actions

I think this is going to be a really huge series.

Well I mean, obviously every series from here on out is going to be huge….but the importance of winning this one is that we’re playing against a mediocre team, so we should win these games anyway. And with the Giants and Dodgers playing a series against each other at the same time, it’s almost as if we’re playing a series against both of them right now. It’s really a amazing opportunity to either seal the wild card, or make a strong push towards winning the division. As long as we take care of our own business, we’re going to be gaining a game on either LA or San Fran every single night.

In a perfect world, I’m hoping for the Rockies and Giants to sweep both of these series’. If somehow that were to happen, we’d keep our 4.5 game lead on the Giants, while gaining three on LA and actually taking a one game lead. I think that’s the most ideal situation. But even if the opposite happens, and the Dodgers sweep, we could remain two games back on them, while now almost guaranteeing the WC with a 7.5 game lead on the Giants.

So either way, something positive will be coming out of this weekend, so as long as we take care of our own business….and that’s why it’s so vital. Don’t waste this golden opportunity.

Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.

by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Sep 11, 2009 1:14 PM MDT reply actions

SD is above 500 since the break

and above 500 at home as well…could be a tough series

by moomacher on Sep 11, 2009 1:19 PM MDT reply actions

They've also won several series against contenders

or were at the time.
Giants, Dodgers, Atl., FL.

Not a series to take lightly.

by Redhawk on Sep 11, 2009 1:24 PM MDT up reply actions

They're definitely basking in their spoiler role

probably because they feel no pressure and can play loose.

It seems that the Rockies struggle to score runs at Petco, so that might be a problem too, if the offense slumps off again.

It seems that the 2007 rolling team was able to sweep their way through SD and LA before losing one game at home against the Dbacks. Maybe this team can repeat…

by ddavis539 on Sep 11, 2009 1:27 PM MDT up reply actions

Regarding struggling at Petco

Results at Petco for this year
5/4 – W 9-6
5/5 – L 1-2
7/16 – W 10-1
7/17 – W 5-3
7/18 – L 1-3
7/19 – W 6-1
That’s 32 runs scored, 16 given up.
I like our chances going into Petco.

Gladly sharing a name with Dexter Fowler!

by ShadowPenguin on Sep 11, 2009 1:44 PM MDT up reply actions

This picture cracks me up

Because nothing says “Colorado Rockies” like Jose Contreras and Jason Giambi.

Mike McCoy Status: FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Seth Smith Status: Bludgeoning Baseballs
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS

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by Andrew Martin on Sep 11, 2009 2:16 PM MDT reply actions

That is pretty funny

Isn’t there some new show where everyone in the world gets to glimpse the future for a few seconds? Can you imagine if we saw this picture sometime in spring training? We’d all be convinced we were 25 games out and just playing random dudes…

by Teekalong on Sep 11, 2009 2:45 PM MDT up reply actions

Another news sources take:

Warning: Contains Swears. Maybe NSFW.

Funny Dog to Make Life Worthwhile

by frightened inmate #2 on Sep 11, 2009 2:47 PM MDT up reply actions

Amazing

I love how he is disappointed he didn’t get a Bengie Molina.

by Muzia on Sep 11, 2009 3:26 PM MDT up reply actions

Haha Jose

I’d also be mad if I got two Contreras cards and no Lincecum/BENGIE! cards.

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

by LACK on Sep 11, 2009 6:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Contreras and Giambi

million dollar men, not just men but great baseball players on the backside of their careers in Colorado. Yeah, I would say you would be smoking something if you saw this coming.

Because nothing says "Colorado Rockies" like Jose Contreras and Jason Giambi.

by lizardlad01 on Sep 11, 2009 2:55 PM MDT up reply actions

hahahaha never thought i'd see the day

"There are only two important things in life: baseball and breathing. But at least you can survive without breathing for 3 minutes."
www.soundclick.com/hollidayrain

by Hollidayrain on Sep 12, 2009 11:03 AM MDT up reply actions