:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34731915/20130519_kdl_ac4_292.jpg.0.jpg)
The losing streak hit seven games last night in a listless performance against the St. Louis Cardinals. Hey everybody, remember that road sweep of the Giants? I hope you do, because that might be the only thing keeping you from complete Rockies depression at this point. How about some good news first?
All-Star Game
Jose Bautista, Troy Tulowitzki named captains for Home Run Derby | Rockies.com: News
Troy Tulowitzki and his 18 homers this year will captain the NL squad in the 2014 Home Run Derby, to be held in Minnesota at 6 PM MDT on July 14th. The structure has changed a little bit this year, with the ten first round players only getting seven outs and players within each league competing with each other for a NL-AL final. I think it's a little silly to separate the NL and AL hitters like that, but I'll reserve further judgment until I see the format in action.
Yes, it's glorified batting practice, but it's still pretty cool to watch a Rockies player represent us in a national event. It's the third year in a row in which Colorado will have a rep - let's hope that Tulo is more successful than Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer were.
Tulo still leads National League All-Star voting; outfield races tight | Rockies.com: News
Tulo leads the NL with his over 3.2 million votes, as well he should. Other Rockies in contention for spots are Nolan Arenado in fourth at third base (a darn shame, he might still be leading voting if he were healthy) and Charlie Blackmon still in sixth place in the outfield. It's looking increasingly likely that Tulo will be Colorado's lone representative this year, though Blackmon could fare well in player voting as players like Bryan LaHair have done in previous years.
Regular Rockies baseball
Bergman likely to make Wednesday's start | Rockies.com: News
Good news on the injury front, via Thomas Harding. Christian Bergman will likely make his start on Wednesday afternoon, meaning that Colorado will avoid reaching for their 12th string starting pitcher - for now. If Bergman can't go, it looks like Yohan Flande, who was scratched from his start yesterday, will be next man up.
Harding also notes in the above that Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez are making progress in their recovery from finger injuries, though neither has a defined recovery schedule at this point.
Bergman will face Fort Collins native Marco Gonzalez, a player I just missed playing against in high school (one year too young), in his major league debut (game not televised). Gonzalez has the distinction of being the winning pitcher in four straight 5A state championship clinching games for Rocky Mountain High School.
Rockies somehow move up in Power Rankings
ESPN's power rankings somehow have the Rockies moving up two places despite going winless for the week. Here's the comment from Scott Fults of Rockies Zingers:
Despite getting no-hit by Clayton Kershaw, Corey Dickerson and friends continue to shine offensively while pitching keeps the Rockies from staying in games. Recent call-ups, both in the rotation and bullpen, look to right the ship moving forward, as reinforcements from the disabled list are eagerly anticipated.
Keep fighting the good fight of optimism, Scott.
Cardinals' Lance Lynn dominates Rockies to illustrate Colorado's pitching problems
Nick Groke of the Post laments about the comparative success of the St. Louis rotation against Colorado's lack thereof.
Other Links
Key to the City: Denver | MLB.com
Denver's a pretty neat place, in case you didn't know! Here's a video to that effect.
A Physics Comparison of Great Throws From Years Past – The Hardball Times
Here's your chance to relive some great throws - now with physics! Rockies fans in particular will get to see three of their runners gunned down by preposterous throws.