You read the title right, Rowbots--this afternoon's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks marks the halfway point (mathematically) for the Rockies in the 2009 season.
Colorado will look to get the series win in the rubber match, but it won't be an easy task due to the pitching matchup the Rockies face. While the Rockies will have their best pitcher, Ubaldo Jimenez (6-7, 3.75 ERA), on the mound, the Snakes will counter with dangerous Dan Haren (7-5, 2.19 ERA), arguably the best pitcher (according to Peter Gammons at least) in the NL this season.
How good has Haren been this year? Let me throw a few stats at you. He's got a 8.84 K/9, but much more impressive is his 1.17 BB/9--meaning that he has 7.53 Ks for every BB he issues (113 to 15). Batters are hitting .194 against him with a BABIP of .241 (career is .298, meaning he's due for some regression)--and his FIP is a stellar .276. Finally, Haren's accumulated 3.7 WAR this season already. In other words, Haren has all the markings of an elite pitcher.
Colorado shouldn't be too discouraged though. After all, they've already beaten Haren once this year (though he returned the favor) and his offense hasn't been able to support him much.
Current Series
3 game series vs Diamondbacks @ Coors Field
| Fri 07/03 | WP: Jorge De La Rosa ( - ) LP: Max Scherzer ( - ) | 5 - 0 win |
| Sat 07/04 | 7 - 11 loss | |
Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, Jul 5, 2009, 1:10 PM MDT Dan Haren vs Ubaldo Jimenez Partly cloudy. Game time temperature around 75.
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Starting Pitchers
vs.
Today Yorvit Torrealba makes his triumphant return to the Rockies lineup, while Clint Barmes gets his first day off in a long while. Taking Barmes' place at 2nd is Ian Stewart, meaning that Garrett Atkins will play 3rd. Finally, Carlos Gonzalez is getting a seat on the bench in favor of Seth Smith and Dexter Fowler will sit for Ryan Spilborghs.
I approve this lineup.