Colorado Rockies: Could an “opener” solve their first-inning woes? | Rox Pile
Sergio Romo made headlines in May when the Tampa Bay Rays deployed him in a new hybrid bullpen role — the opener — to start games, gain an advantage over the top of opposing team’s lineups, and reduce their opportunity to build offensive momentum.
It was a mix bag of results — Romo struck out the side on May 19th, and later gave up 3 runs in 0.1 IP on May 27th — but the bold strategy raised eyebrows and piqued the curiosity of many baseball minds who are always trying to find innovative ways to help their teams win.
[Rockies enter stage-left] Oh ho, what’s this, a rotation with a 7.39 ERA in the first inning? A rotation whose opponents are batting .302 with a .902 OPS against them in the first inning? If only there were some way their starters could avoid pitching in that inning...
In all seriousness, it might not be such a bad idea to give it a shot. Your starting rotation will remain on the same schedule and your bullpen arms would get the same amount of work — just in a new order. For as bad as the rotation has been in that one inning, and for as bad as the bullpen has been late in games recently, it wouldn’t hurt to try and mix things up.
Colorado Rockies: David Dahl deserves your support, not criticism | Rox Pile
David Dahl has the darndest luck. He’s had his spleen removed after putting his life and health on the line playing baseball, he’s had a rib fracture sideline him for almost an entire season longer than it should have, and now a freak foul ball has broken his foot and sent him to the DL. According to Kevin Henry of Rox Pile, Dahl vented his frustration to the media about the newest injury to keep him off the field, and you can’t blame him.
Dahl wants nothing more than to help this team win. As Kevin Henry points out, what David needs from us is our support. Unfortunately, many online-experts have been directing their anger towards the young outfielder for his latest setback — as though it’s his fault and he’s out to harm the team. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.
David puts his heart and soul into playing this game to the best of his ability for our entertainment whenever he’s in the lineup or called off the bench. He deserves our empathy as fans and fellow humans, so let’s just give him a break... no pun intended.
Desmond donates $29K to charity | MLB.com
Ian Desmond has not had a great year playing baseball for the Rockies. This has been established. However, he did have a great month of May playing baseball for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. As a result, he is donating $29K to their charity — $1K for every run and RBI he produced during Neurofibromatosis (NF) Awareness Month.
Ian Desmond is a great human-being, regardless of his ups-and-downs in this frustrating sport. You have to admit, he’s a man giving hope to children and a community in need of a champion, and there was no better time for him to start heating up.
Making a case for these four Rockies players to make the All-Star Game | Mile High Sports
The Washington Nationals will be hosting the 89th MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park in Washington, DC this year. The Midsummer Classic is right around the corner, and there’s no better time to start thinking about your ballots and who will represent the Colorado Rockies for the NL squad in 2018.
Trevor Rich at Mile High Sports makes the case for four Rockies to make the team — two position players and two pitchers. One from each group is obvious: Nolan Arenado and Adam Ottavino. The other two are under-the-radar but legitimate contenders to make the team: Wade Davis and Trevor Story.
I think Story is in need of some serious campaigning for 2018. So far, he leads NL shortstops in HR and RBI, is tied for first in SLG%, first in ISO, third in total SB, and backs it all up with his defensive prowess. Brandon Crawford, Paul DeJong, and Addison Russell will get many votes and make it difficult simply because of their fanbase, so let’s give them a run for their money and send Trevor to Washington, DC this summer — he deserves it!
In other news, the Rockies were toe-to-toe with the Dodgers in a close game last night... up until the 7th inning in which Los Angeles scored 8 runs and entered the game into the “blow out” zone. Unfortunately, the bullpen imploded yet again and wasted a good start from Germán Márquez — 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB, and 8 K — en route to their 3rd loss in a row. To top it off, Arizona beat Miami 6-2 and knocked the Rockies out of first place in the NL West.
It was a tough one, but today is a new day. I’ll be at Coors Field enjoying the beautiful day, cheering on the Rockies with my family, and loving the game of baseball. Join me? Maybe I’ll pass by some of you — I have a feeling it’ll be a great day at the ballpark.