We have reached the time of year where the minor league teams are done or in the playoffs, football is starting, and (at least for the last four years) Rockies baseball does not have significant relevance for this year. The team sits 18 games behind the Dodgers and has little chance of even making it to second place as they are 5.5 behind the Diamondbacks. So what do you have to look forward to for the rest of the season? Tons! Here are five of the reasons you should keep watching Rockies baseball even as football approaches:
1. We could well be seeing the last games of Todd Helton's career and he has found some power at the sunset that I hope he continues to display for this last month. I saw him play his first season, if not his first game, and I will watch him play his last one.
2. Jorge De La Rosa leads the National League in wins(he is technically tied for first). He would need to win each of his last four starts to top Ubaldo's 19 win franchise mark, but is still having an amazing season along with Jhoulys Chacin. Watching these two alone is worth it but with the league lead and possibly a franchise mark on the line, JDLR's starts are worth watching.
3. Michael Cuddyer is leading the National League in batting average. It is great for him to be having a bounce back year after some injuries in his Colorado debut last season. With two more home runs, he can become the fourth Rockie this season with 20.
4. Growth of the youngsters will be fun to watch too. Josh Rutledge is back and hitting well again. DJ LeMahieu keeps getting better in the field and has made several web gems lately. Even Wilin Rosario, when not playing first, has looked better on defense while heating up late in the season to match last year's rookie numbers. A fifth starter and a relief arm or two and this team may even look like contenders for next year over the next month, if they weren't in a division with the Dodgers.
5. Last but not least is the great conversations during the game here on Purple Row. I normally don't contribute much to the game thread's but I love reading it while watching the game. I look forward to watching the last 21 with all of you.
Links
Tyler Colvin was left off the 40 man roster and will not be called up according to Troy Renck.
As promised in the game wrap, further news on Nolan Arenado's injury, he apparently is day-to-day with a jammed thumb.
Roy Oswalt may return to the Rockies as early as this weekend, but no one has nailed down what role he will play for the team now that Chad Bettis is getting some good experience with the big league club.