Know Your Foe #53: Rockies Carry Small Amount of Momentum Into Season Finale

San Francisco Giants (84-75 / 2nd in the NL West / 9.0GB, E)

This series wasn't supposed to be like this. This series was supposed to be the decider between the two NL West Kings, the two teams made of awesome and hatred for each other. Much like 2009 was predicted by Russ to have the Rockies and Dodgers competing for the division title in the last series of the season, countless Giants fans showed up at the last Rockies-Giants series at Coors Field, expecting to see this Titanic clash come to a head. Instead, the Rockies have fallen apart completely over the past month or so, so it was seeing if the Rockies could be the team to put the stake into the vampire hearts of the San Francisco Giants.

2011 Record vs. Colorado: 11-4 (74 runs scored, 51 runs allowed)

Last Series vs. Colorado: September 15-18 (W 4-0 at Coors Field)

Instead, the Rockies were completely and utterly embarrassed by the Giants, getting swept on their home turf. After the series was over, the Giants were on an 8-game winning streak, and the Rockies on a 4-game losing streak. You see, after splitting in Milwaukee, there was hope that the Rockies would make a good showing against the Giants, and we'd have some good baseball to finish the season with.

Game 1 did not provide that. Pablo Sandoval, in all his panda-like evil, hit for the cycle off of Jhoulys Chacin. Yes, all 4 hits came off of Chacin, along with an additional 5 from non-Sandoval batters. I got to witness this one in person. I always wanted to see a cycle. Just not off of the bats of the Giants. The Rockies DID try to get back into the game, as they put 5 runs on the board off of Ryan Vogelsong and Steve Edlefsen, but it just wasn't enough, thanks to some awful defense from Thomas Field and Jordan Pacheco. In Pacheco's defense, he's still re-learning to play 1B and 3B, but I'm stoked to see him do it. Final 8-5 Giants.

Much like the rest of this season, Game 2 found a way to get even worse. Alex White got nailed for 6 runs on 9 hits, including 2 HR, 3BB, and 3K, while pitching just under 6 innings. Jordan Pacheco had a 3-hit game, and Wilin Rosario tripled off of Bumgarner and scored on a Dexter Fowler 2-out E5, but past that, it was a gem by Madison Bumgarner (who notched 2 hits of his own, including a double), and the Rockies never stood a chance. Final 9-1 Giants.

Game 3 was a giant tease. Down 6-3, despite some solid work from Drew Pomeranz. The Rockies tagged Santiago Casilla for 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk, but Casilla gutted through it to get himself the save. Upside: Hector Gomez made his first MLB start and notched 2 hits. Downside: He's already hurt again. Final 6-5 Giants.

Game 4, I just wanted to win. I went to see the Lion King and was planning on watching the archived game, but when I checked the score post-movie: NOPE - Esmil Rogers. Rogers gave up 9 runs and only lasted an out into the 4th inning. He gave up 2 HR. Greg Reynolds gave up 2 HR in his short relief stint. Here are the good things about that game: 2-hit games from Seth Smith and Ty Wigginton, 2 SB from Eric Young, Jr, and 2 scoreless innings of relief from Jason Hammel. Past that, don't let the door hit you, Giants. Final 12-5 Giants.

Latest Series Results: L 0-3 vs. Arizona, L 1-2 vs. Los Angeles (NL)

So at this point, do we cheer that now the games REALLY don't matter? Do both teams dig through the depths of the minors to find some starters to throw out there so they can officially shut down everyone who matters for 2012? Honestly, seing the Sky Sox/Drillers and the Grizzlies/Flying Squirrels face off in AT&T Park would be pretty awesome. I mean, we're already seeing Ty Wigginton and the Minor League Experience head out there day in and day out, why not just make it official? I don't want to see the likely slaughter the pitching matchups would present. Just call it a season, guys.

The Giants did shed a lot of dead weight this season in the forms of Miguel Tejada and Aaron Rowand. You can only have so many veterans on your team before it's just over the top. There is one veteran who doesn't plan on going anywhere anytime soon:

Carlos Beltran

#15 / Right Field / San Francisco Giants

Height: 6-1

Weight: 215

Bats: B

Throws: R

Born: Apr 24, 1977

 

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	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2011 - Carlos Beltran	41	158	17	53	9	4	7	18	10	27	1	2	.335	.379	.576

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Seriously, in the 2 months that Beltran has been with the Giants, he's accumulated the 5th most Wins Above Replacement on that Giants club, with 1.1 WAR. Should Beltran stay healthy, he would likely be a 4-5 win player for whatever team he lands with. The Giants may just have a vacancy in the "overpaid veteran" department, and Beltran could likely slide right into that slot.

Frankly, I don't mind Carlos Beltran. I used to like him a lot, back when the 2006 Mets were all the business and a generally exciting team to watch play. Since his knees betrayed him, Beltran's baserunning and defensive numbers have all plummeted, which is to be expected. Beltran's last full season was 2008, where he batted about 33% above the average MLB bat (133 wRC+) and played elite CF defense, was nearly the best of his career, worth 7.6 WAR.

Any chance we can start a letter writing campaign and get him to sign in like Anaheim or something? They like old, overpaid veteran outfielders too.

Monday through Wednesday: 3-game series at AT&T Park

Expected Pitching Matchups

Monday, September 26, 2011 @ 8:15PM MT

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 @ 8:15PM MT

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 @ 12:45PM MT

Guys Who Play For The Giants

Guys Who Used To Play With The Giants