The Climb Of The Rockies
by Eric Stephen on Aug 25, 2009 10:52 AM PDT
in Opponents
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PrintI don't know if you've heard, but a team from Denver has made quite a run to insert itself into the NL West race. After falling a season-low 15½ games behind the Dodgers on June 3, the Rockies have simply been the best team in baseball. They are 51-22 during that time, and have cut that division lead to three games, heading into a three-game series against the Dodgers beginning today.
How have the Rockies done it? Here are a few big reasons:
1) Troy Tulowitzki, MVP
After play on June 3, the Rockies' 24-year old shortstop was struggling, hitting .218/.309/.382, with just five home runs and 16 RBI. Since then, however, he is hitting .311/.395/.625, with 18 dingers and 51 runs batted in. The best shortstop in the division has emerged into the player the rest of us in the NL West feared he would be.
2) Ubaldo Is The Man
Actually, Ubaldo Jimenez improved long before Jim Tracy arrived. The Dodgers hammered him in back to back starts in April. Since then, however, Jimenez has pitched like an ace, going 11-6 with a 2.84 ERA over 22 starts. Since May 1, Jimenez has thrown 155.1 innings, averaging just over seven innings per start. Only Cliff Lee (160.0) has more innings pitched during that time.
3) Better Starting Pitching
Jimenez hasn't been the only Rockies' starter to improve over the course of the season. On the whole, the starters since June 3 have improved by leaps and bounds:
| Dates | Starts | QS | 6+ Inn | 7+ Inn | IP | H | ER | BB/9 | K/9 | ERA | WHIP |
| April 6 - June 3 | 52 | 27 (52%) | 32 (62%) | 17 (33%) | 299.1 (5.76 per) | 321 | 154 | 3.58 | 6.25 | 4.63 | 1.470 |
| June 4 - present | 73 | 48 (66%) | 55 (75%) | 31 (42%) | 461.0 (6.32 per) | 451 | 190 | 2.73 | 6.66 | 3.71 | 1.282 |
Jason Marquis has also improved from a 3.93 ERA through June 3, to a 3.16 ERA afterward.
4) Don't Forget The Bullpen
Prior to June 3, the Rockies' relievers had an ERA of an even 5.00, and a WHIP of 1.527. Since then, the bullpen has improved to a 4.19 ERA and 1.262 WHIP. Rafael Betancourt, acquired from Cleveland on July 23, has been their (better) version of George Sherrill, with no runs allowed in 11.2 innings, allowing nine base runners while striking out 14.
5) Young Outfield Improvement
One of the first roster moves made after Clint Hurdle was fired was to recall Carlos Gonzalez from Triple A Colorado Springs. All he has done with the big club is hit .287/.356/.539, with a .383 wOBA. In addition, Dexter Fowler has improved from .255/.342/.388 under Hurdle to .282/.394/.446 under Jim Tracy.
The Rockies are a fun team for a fan base to root for, as they are largely homegrown. The ten players with the most plate appearances on the club were all drafted by the club, and 13 players on the current 25-man roster were drafted or signed internationally by Colorado.
**********
The Dodgers have won 10 of 12 games so far this season against the Rockies, losing only the two games started by Jason Marquis:
April 17 - @Dodgers 4, Rockies 3
April 18 - @Dodgers 9, Rockies 5
April 19 - @Dodgers 14, Rockies 2
April 24 - Dodgers 6, @Rockies 5
April 25 - Dodgers 6, @Rockies 5
April 26 - @Rockies 10, Dodgers 4
May 25 - Dodgers 16, @Rockies 6
May 26 - Dodgers 7, @Rockies 1
May 27 - Dodgers 8, @Rockies 6
June 29 - @Dodgers 4, Rockies 2
June 30 - Rockies 3, @Dodgers 0
July 1 - @Dodgers 1, Rockies 0
**********
Luckily for the Dodgers, they won't have to face Jimenez or their nemesis, Marquis this series.
Pitching Probables
Tuesday: Clayton Kershaw (8-7, 3.19 FIP) vs. Jason Hammel (8-7, 3.67 FIP), 5:40pm, KCAL
Wednesday: Randy Wolf (8-6, 3.97 FIP) vs. Josh Fogg (0-1, 4.33 FIP), 5:40pm, Prime Ticket
Thursday: Vicente Padilla (8-6, 4.93 FIP) vs. Jorge de la Rosa (12-8, 4.07 FIP), 12:10pm, Prime Ticket
This should be a fun series. Let's get it on!
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Epic game last night
with two teams fighting for the playoffs having to use the complete 25 man rosters with redemption winning in the end. It was baseball at it’s best.
Yeah that was a crazy game, I was so hoping it would’ve have turned out differently in the end, although the Giants losing always makes me happy.
Also, the Giants loss wasn’t necessarily bad. The Dodgers now have a 7-game lead on a playoff spot.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 25, 2009 8:01 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm not very interested in the Dodgers becoming the 2nd Dodger team
to blow one of the biggest leads in baseball history. I’d also much rather have home field then being on the road even if it is baseball. We might need home Ethier not road Ethier.
Look on the bright side
we might need road Loney :)
by Michael White on Aug 25, 2009 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree, I would not be happy losing the division. I’m not saying we won’t win the division, but let’s just say its nice to have the cushion.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 25, 2009 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions
It's even better to have
a 7 game lead on the Giants and 7 1/2 over the Braves right now IF the Rockies were to some how over take the division lead. But for the Rockies to do that, they will have to beat the Dodgers head to head, and so far this year, that’s been impossible to do.
the pitching match-ups in this one favor the Dodgers in 2 out of the 3 games.
I don't like the 3 game lead either but maybe this what the dodgers need to wake up bats.
It is either competition or Joe Boo, seriously we will see just who they are in the next 3 days.
Go Dodgers
Paul D. Kelley
BN is a myopic site
by so.cal.native1952 on Aug 25, 2009 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions
The pecota 'puter currently gives the braves 89 wins
And the g’s 85. I think they’re right.
by stillnotah8er on Aug 25, 2009 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
You're Next.
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/5143/spills.png
(did i do this right this time)
Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS
Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish
nope
I didn’t get enough sleep last night
FEAR HIM ANYHOW
Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS
Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish
by Andrew Martin on Aug 25, 2009 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions
If he can do that against
Belisairo or Kuo or Troncoso or McDonald or Broxton then so be it. You won’t be seeing any Merkin’s against us unless Mota gets in the game.
Mota
if there’s another 14th inning, that could happen!
by Eric Stephen on Aug 25, 2009 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Merkin being a rather unfortunate name.
Funny Dog to Make Life Worthwhile
by frightened inmate #2 on Aug 25, 2009 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions
This.
Been waiting for someone to mention….
My former trash rock band, Jealous Lover Targets, actually used to sing about merkins.
Out of respect, I’ll avoid inserting a .jpg in this response. But for the uninitiated, a definition….“A merkin is a crotch wig for both men and women and is usually worn on the outside. …”
Gettin’ wiggy wit’ it.
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
by Mondogarage on Aug 25, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions
Mota
the guy who has thrown 5 shutout innings agaisnt us this year…
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 25, 2009 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions
yeah but with Milwaukee
He pitched a game where he choked like he doesn’t chew
Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS
Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish
by Andrew Martin on Aug 25, 2009 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions
He's been slumping after a great
mid season run. Back to mop up with Belisario/Kuo/Sherrill in the fold.
I enjoyed this comment over at Purple Row
given Jason Hammel’s struggles at home:
Wow, it sure is nice HERE IN LOS ANGELES. Hope you enjoyed your flight TO LOS ANGELES. Anyway, last night was exciting, no? Lots of fun. As you may have noticed the bullpen was used quite a bit. Also, with Josh Fogg getting the start tomorrow, we really need you to have a good long start tonight AT DODGER STADIUM. Good luck with everything.
Love,
frightenedinmate#2
Can we have Andre also pretend to be at Dodger Stadium:)
How many runs could the Dodgers score if Home Andre and Road Loney show up together for one time this season?
I think we should get Home Andre, Road Loney combined with Coors Loney, the return of Manny, and Rafael Furcal all together at once. We need to put up like 24 runs this series. That would be nice.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 25, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions
And his success
(Ouch. meant to say CG Loss) at Dodger Stadium.
Epic night to be a Rockies fan
And though I would love to see the Rox cruise by the Dodgers, I don’t see it happening that way. I hope it’s a competitive series, and secretly hope we never see Broxton.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewrightshot/
According to Buster Olney, you won’t need to worry about seeing Broxton in the 9th anymore…
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Aug 25, 2009 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions
This is incredibly sad
in a SportsNation poll, more than 50 percent of voters said they couldn’t name more than two of the nine Rockies who have played at least 100 games this season.
Really? HOF Candidate Todd Helton, All-Star Brad Hawpe and near ROY Troy Tulowitzki, who leads MLB SS in HR….and half of the people can’t get that? ESPN is shedding light on how little coverage they actually give the Rockies.
I’m sure this crowd is more enlightened, so hopefully you will all get 100% on this quiz.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 25, 2009 11:14 AM PDT reply actions
Not only how little coverage the non-sports Stuart Scott network gives the Rockies, but also....
The level of ignorance they have fostered on that portion of the population that still thinks ESPN is a leader in sports broadcasting.
Seriously, I think the downfall of ESPN started the day they werd sold off to Disney (via ABC/Capital City).
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
by Mondogarage on Aug 25, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
That really is bad.
I thought it was bad last year when, in the final weeks of the season ESPNews had a soundbite from James Loney, and the caption said “Matt Kemp” :(
by Eric Stephen on Aug 25, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
I got 100%, but that really was a dumbed down quiz. :)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 25, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
you cant blame em for not knowing brad hawpe
if you dont kno the nl west and dont follow the rockies… who the hell is hawpe… tulo and helton are the ones people know about
by matthewmafa on Aug 25, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions
Not the normal Sunday baseball fan
but SB Nation fans taking the poll should know
All-Star Brad Hawpe and Ubaldo has simply been the best kept secret since Matt Kemp.
by meercatjohn on Aug 25, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions
I remember underdog mocking the Rockies announcers for saying Ubaldo was just as good as Kershaw could be as a prospect or better.
Looks like even TV reviewers can be wrong! :)
You should at least know the All-Stars
especially the ones who nearly hit home runs off Papelbon in the ASG to give the NL the lead.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 25, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
womp womp
..that is horrible though
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on Aug 25, 2009 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
That's why the "Worldwide Leader in Sports" is a four lettered word. Thank God for MLB Network
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Aug 25, 2009 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions
rosenthal=onley
Dodgers interested in Hawkins? And Chad Billingsleys Velocity?
read the Around the Horn section on the right.. thats where this info is located….
Amen to Tulo for MVP.
He is R MVP.
Good post.
Favorite player: Tulo
2nd favorite player: 10-way tie
by prettyinpurple on Aug 25, 2009 12:16 PM PDT reply actions
Johan Santana only needs minor surgery
out for the year but luckily he’ll be back next year as good as new after they remove the bone chips.
MLB announced preliminary rosters for AFL
Dodger minor leaguers currently set to play for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League.
Pitchers: Javy Guerra, Eric Krebs, Travis Schlichting
Catcher: Lucas May
Infielders: Russell Mitchell, Justin Sellers
Outfielders: Andrew Lambo, Trayvon Robinson
For more information on the AFL, go here, http://bit.ly/q8R4I
what!?
no chris withrow?!
and theres only 1 spot for someone under AA to go… and out of all the people, Eric Crebs?! lol maybe we got something usefull for delwyn young after all…
by matthewmafa on Aug 25, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
his name
Sounds like a future Closer…
like Jaokim Soria…
by matthewmafa on Aug 25, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Dodgers 10-2 vs Rox
Rox fan here, appreciate the series break down on this post…..love stats and numbers,
lazy on looking them up. I will say this, Dogers 8-1 series advantage before June 1st
played a major role in their torrid hot start to the season. I like to think the last series in
LA….3 close well pitched and played games more indicative of how the two match up.
OBJECTS IN REAR VIEW MIRROR ARE CLOLSER THAN THEY APPEAR..LOL. Not sure
which Rox will show up tonight—-Tired, sore, and lifeless or still on an euphoric high from last night. These next 6 games critical to Rox, not so much for LA who are still 3 up.
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