Colorado Rockies are off to hot start thanks to scorching hot bats, solid pitching

The Rockies look good thus far and look to continue their winning ways tonight when they take on the Brewers for the final game of the series before returning to Coors for a weekend series against the Cubs and their young stars. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has some good quotes from last night in an article about the Rockies' "hit parade."

How comfortable have the Colorado Rockies' hitters been against the Milwaukee Brewers' top pitchers in the first two games of the season?

So comfortable, they just might show up Wednesday evening wearing smoking jackets and slippers with pipes in their mouths.

"They're squaring up baseballs," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Tuesday night after the Rockies continued their season-opening assault with 12 hits in a 5-2 victory at Miller Park.

"They're hitting everything. They're hitting fastballs. If we throw a breaking ball, they're hitting that. They're not missing pitches. That's what good players do. They don't miss mistakes."

How good has the offense been? The team is hitting .350 and has collected 28 hits in just two games, 12 of which were doubles to go along with 2 home runs. Nolan Arenado in particular is off a fantastic start, with 5 hits in 9 ABs. He's collected two doubles, went deep once, and has five RBIs. That's not to mention the pitching staff, which has put forth a solid showing in what has been an encouraging start. For a bullpen coming off of a truly awful year, they've looked good in the early goings.

Rockies Links

Butler believes sinker is big league ready — MLB

Eddie Butler takes the mound tonight in Milwaukee. He didn't have a great spring, but he'll have a great opportunity tonight to start the season on the right foot. Butler's heavy, sinking fastball is a great offering, but shoulder injuries held him back last year.

"All through the Minor Leagues, that's how I felt about my sinker: I could throw it any time to anybody and know they're going to hit a weak ground ball, break the bat, swing through it; that it was going to be tough for them to square it up," said Butler, the Rockies' No. 2 prospect. "It's the kind of stuff I'm able to do. I could tell some guys it's coming and they still won't hit it far. Last year was tough; that part shook me a little bit."

Butler, however, says he feels ready to go and will look to couple his sinker with a hard, rising fastball to keep hitters on their toes. Interesting bit from Walt Weiss on Nick Hundley's veteran presence behind the plate and how he can help the pitching staff.

Healthy elbow has Logan feeling confident — MLB

After signing a massive contract with the Rockies, Logan had a brutal 2014. Logan, however, says he feels good about his arm and believes the team to be contenders. Last night, Logan got Jean Segura to fly out between strikeouts of Gerardo Parra and Scooter Gennett. A healthy and effective Boone Logan will do wonders for the bullpen.

Rockies 2015 Season Preview — Rox Pile

All seems to be rainbows and sunshine for the Rockies so far, but let's see how long our stars and pitching can hold up. Bobby DeMuro over at Rox Pile thinks the Rockies can win 76 games if CarGo and Tulo stay healthy, but that the Rockies are in for another 66 win season if they can't.

Do the Monforts Truly Want to Win or Just Take Your Money? — Rox Pile

Greg Moore over at Rox Pile thinks the latter. I disagree, but it's a good read and worth a look. The Monforts are poor baseball people and the decisions they make often reflect that, but it's my opinion that they truly do want the Rockies to do well.

Finally, Justin Morneau left last night's game with an apparent injury after being hit in the neck while diving back to third, but according to Walt Weiss he was removed purely as a precaution.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rockies?src=hash">#Rockies</a> Walt Weiss says after Justin Morneau had a collision at 3B, he was removed for precaution. Morneau has a history of neck injuries.</p>&mdash; Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) <a href="https://twitter.com/harding_at_mlb/status/585662887009640448">April 8, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

MLB Links

Five early season takeaways — MLB

Anthony Castrovince at MLB.com lists Clayton Kershaw as the most likely to throw a no-hitter, but Chris Sale, Stephen Strasburg, Corey Kluber, and Max Scherzer aren't too far behind. Travis Snider has looked good with the O's so far. Will this be the year he finally puts it all together?

Yasiel Puig's throw from deep down the right-field line to third base is a sight to behold — MLB

After making a fantastic running catch ranging far into foul territory near the wall in right, Puig made an insane throw that almost doubled up Derek Norris. The throw is amazing and is a must-see if you haven't already.

40 years ago, Robinson delivered on a historic day — MLB

Frank Robinson debuted as the Indians' player-manager 40 years ago today, ripping a homer off of the Yank's Doc Medich in his first AB. Great read on baseball's first African-American manager.

Watch Adam Jones and Travis Snider demonstrate synchronized outfield rolling — MLB

Jones and Snider displayed a new routine they've been working on over the offseason. Nice for them to know they've got a career in outfield rolling after baseball.