3. The Rockies have won three consecutive games for the first time since July 27-30.
8.5. The Rockies are 8.5 games behind a playoff spot, the closest they have been since July 16, after this game. Forget your elementary math class. Neither of those numbers are larger than:
2. Two teams are at least 7.5 games out in front of the Rockies. While both teams are vulnerable (the Diamondbacks have lost six straight and half of the Giants roster is on the DL), that's still a ridiculously tall task, especially when Jim Tracy is "maximizing" the line-up by benching Seth Smith against a RHP.
The NL West is a crazy division, with the Padres and Rockies leading the NL in runs scored since the ASB, but considering those three wins came against two last place teams, let's just look at the immediate and long-term future and let the moderate future play out.
One of the biggest ingredients to the longterm future finally gets to be taken out of its dusty place in the cupboard, as Alex White will make his Rockies debut tonight against the Astros and Bud Norris at Coors Field. This comes 24 days after acquiring the right-handed starter.
Meanwhile, the Indians are beating their heads against the wall, fighting a chillingly familiar battle:
"What's wrong with Jimenez....? Both Antonetti and Acta insist that Jimenez is healthy, the manager saying the MRI taken during a pretrade physical "was squeaky clean." ...
Antonetti said: "His velocity is a little down from last year, but he's still ninth or 10th in the big leagues, ahead of CC."
I read those same statements word for word a dozen times in April and May. In the 24 days since the trade, Jimenez has allowed 21 runs in 21 innings. I am not rooting against Ubaldo Jimenez by any means, but I do not miss the "Is Ubaldo broken?" constant worry that lingered over this season. That has been partially whited out.
Alex White is one of the four pieces acquired for Jimenez and the first to arrive at Coors Field tonight, when he checks into his CarGo-adjacent locker and takes the field. White is riding a 15.1 scoreless inning streak in AA and appears confident. In fact, White claims not to be intimidated of Coors Field in the slightest:
"It's the same thing as pitching in a ballpark when the wind is blowing out," White said. "Nothing I can do about it, so I don't worry about it."
Well no, Alex, Coors Field isn't difficult just because of balls flying further, but that's the right attitude to take into Coors, so I'll take it.
Former Rockie Cory Sullivan profiles as front-office type | On the Rox — Colorado Rockies news — Denver Post He wore number 18 and embodied the same type of player the current uno-ocho does for the Rockies, but in the outfield. Now, as Troy Renck says, the Rockies' starting centerfielder during Rocktober07 has his eyes on a front office job.
Rockies' Tulowitzki sets mark for consecutive games without an error - The Denver Post Note: this is a personal mark, as he has now gone a career-high 47 straight error-less games. He leads the NL in fielding percentage, UZR, BRef's Total Zone, and is second to Alex Gonzalez in Dewan's Runs Saved (DRS). Pick any metric you want - Tulo isn't just a good defensive shortstop, he is elite.
Injured right-hander Juan Nicasio eager to pitch again for Colorado Rockies - The Denver Post Nicasio is in great spirits, is motivated, and has suffered no setbacks during day-to-day tasks. That's as good of news as we can hope for, but the real tests of his future will come in the Arizona Instructional League this fall and Spring Training in February.
Street, Lindstrom could rejoin Rockies Friday | ColoradoRockies.com: News Ryan Spilborghs has gone 6-for-12 with a double and 3 HR (including a 3-run walkoff shot last night) in his 3-day rehab stint in Colorado Springs. He could be up soon as well, though the Rockies may wait until September 1, when rosters expand.
John Thurman Field Reviews, Modesto Nuts | Stadium Journey
Stadium Journey, a site devoted to tracking the parks around North American sports, heads over to John Thurman Field, home of the High-A Modesto Nuts. Swing on over if you get a moment and see what you're missing here in Colorado.