National League West Roundup: Rockies Off To Great Start

by Eric Stephen on Apr 17, 2011 10:00 AM PDT in Opponents

With the Dodgers playing as bad as they are right now, having lost five straight, I wanted to write about a team that has won a game in the not-so-distant past. Thus, here is a quick look around the National League West, through games of Saturday, April 16.

Colorado Rockies (11-3)

The good news is that the Rockies showed they were human by losing to the Cubs on Saturday, 8-3. The bad news is that they had won seven straight and 11 of 12 prior to that loss. Two things stand out with Colorado so far:

Troy Tulowitzki kept his September hot streak going, and has seven home runs in the early going. Dating back to last September 3, Tulo is hitting .321/.402/.812 with 22 home runs, 52 RBI, and 41 runs in 42 games. Unreal.
Ubaldo Jimenez has made just one start this season, and has a 7.50 ERA. The rest of the starters have combined to go 9-1 with a 3.03 ERA in 13 starts, averaging 6.15 innings per outing. That will get it done.

The latest on Purple Row: Jimenez is due back in a few days, but starting pitcher Alan Johnson will make his major league debut today.

San Francisco Giants (8-6)

After Clayton Kershaw beat the Giants 6-1 on Monday, the Giants have won four straight, to become the only other team in the division over .500. After three straight one-run wins, the Giants changed it up and beat Arizona by two on Saturday night, picking up a 5-3 win at Chase Field.

The latest on McCovey Chronicles: The Giants hit into five double plays Saturday night, yet still won. Grant examines the new inefficiency:

The rallying cry of the baseball nerd of the '90s and '00s: get on base! It's the on-base percentage, stupid.

After a game like tonight's: just swing for the fences every time up; don't work a walk because you'll just be wiped out on a double play.

San Diego Padres (6-8)

The Padres have lost seven of their last 10, including dropping two of three to the Dodgers, Cincinnati, and Houston. San Diego finishes its four-game series against the Astros today before continuing their road trip at Wrigley Field on Monday.

Recently on Gaslamp Ball: Tony Gwynn Sr. has taken to selling a bunch of his memorabilia on eBay.

Arizona Diamondbacks (5-8)

Arizona has lost three straight and five of seven. They had the misfortune of playing the murderer's row Cardinals lineup right before the Dodgers did. The D-Backs have scored 5.3 runs per game, fifth in the NL and second in the division to Colorado, but their bullpen is showing signs of last season, last in the NL with a 5.36 ERA. The problem is that D-Backs' starters have also struggled mightily, with a 5.95 ERA.

The latest on AZ Snake Pit: Remember those five double plays the Giants hit into Saturday night? Those were against Arizona, a franchise record for DPs turned by the Diamondbacks.

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by bhsportsguy on Apr 17, 2011 10:02 AM PDT reply actions

The cynical side of me thinks all the Sands hype is to test the trade waters.

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 10:13 AM PDT reply actions

Wait

The cynical side? Of you? Never! :)

by EMDarrow on Apr 17, 2011 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Why shouldn't they?

They’d be idiots not to look at trades. All depends on who you can get

Do the chair know we gonna look like some punk-ass bitches out there?

by mleadman on Apr 17, 2011 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Expected pitching matchups for Braves series

MON-Lilly/Hudson
TUE-Kuroda/Beachy
WED-Garland/Lowe
THU-Kershaw/Jurrjens

by Eric Stephen on Apr 17, 2011 10:22 AM PDT reply actions

Lowe has had a brilliant start, that is now two great FA contracts he has signed. I wonder how many free agent pitchers have earned both their long term contracts?

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Didn’t realize till now Lowe wasn’t bad last year.

@andrewngrant

by regfairfield on Apr 17, 2011 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions

Hopefully Garland and Lilly can get on track soon. Kuroda I’m not worried about, he has his share of clunkers every year but is always really good overall.

by EMDarrow on Apr 17, 2011 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Evidently Dodgers pitchers are only as good as their last start in Tony Jackson’s eyes. Billz can’t pitch with a lead, Kershaw is not a stopper.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:26 AM PDT reply actions

Why is it that every time I hear about Tony Jackson he is shitting on the Dodgers?

by Grimjack on Apr 17, 2011 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

because we probably only post things when he’s negative.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Daily?

by Grimjack on Apr 17, 2011 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Dodgers lineup

Gwynn LF
Carroll SS
Ethier RF
Kemp CF
Uribe 3B
Loney 1B
Barajas C
Miles 2B
Billingsley P

by Eric Stephen on Apr 17, 2011 10:26 AM PDT reply actions

Gotta be kidding me

Play DeJesus for chrissakes.

by silverwidow on Apr 17, 2011 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions

The explanation Vin gave last night was that the Dodgers wanted DeJesus to play everyday in the minors, but they had to call him up, so the right thing to do is sit him on the bench.

…I wasn’t paying very much attention.

@andrewngrant

by regfairfield on Apr 17, 2011 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Yup, according to Donny he’s only an everyday player, to good to be a spot starter:)

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

IDJ is probably not very good but him sitting for garbage like Miles bothers me.

by silverwidow on Apr 17, 2011 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions

The ironic thing is that Chin Lung Hu would be perfect for the bench role that DeJesus is occupying right now

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions

and they wonder why the fan base is not invigorated? RIght now the offense is like Spain /Sain and rain except with us it is Andre/ Kemp and pain.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:27 AM PDT reply actions

No more pain please. Our DL can’t take it.

by Grimjack on Apr 17, 2011 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Who is more likely to break out of their slump first, Uribe or Loney?

I admire your optimism, but this is over. RLB 2/5/11

by BetterDeadThanRed on Apr 17, 2011 10:29 AM PDT reply actions

Loney’s slump has now lasted four months so he’s more due:)

Some would say it has lasted three years but those are the Humma’s. (cynical bastards):)

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Uribe career OPS+ average is 84. A normal year for him is still not good.

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Don’t think we can use career OPS for this guy. He’s been a different hitter since he joined the NL the second time around. If he regresses back to his White Sox days, then that will be trouble, but I doubt it will happen. He should eventually be what they expected, power, defense, defense, and much else. The real problem is thinking he’s a number five hitter.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions

What is his White Sox days? I can’t imagine he had a different hitting style when he played in the AL. (and if he did, I want to know how he came to the conclusion that trying to hit a home run EVERY SINGLE FREAKING TIME was optimal for him).

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions

You looked up his career ops I’m sure you can figure out how the read lines year by year.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions

No, I meant how did he play in his white sox days vs his NL play? You implied Uribe was doing something different.

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions

Cards lineup

Theriot SS
Rasmus CF
Pujols 1B
Holliday LF
Berkman RF
Freese 3B
Molina C
Descalso 2B
Carpenter P

by Eric Stephen on Apr 17, 2011 10:32 AM PDT reply actions

Has Uribe taken a day off yet?

I can see Kemp playing everyday, but Uribe’s slumping like a 3 dollar whore.

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 10:40 AM PDT reply actions

Eric, your piece begins “With the Dodgers playing as bad as they are right now, having won five straight,…” Did you mean having lost five straight?

by berkowit28 on Apr 17, 2011 10:42 AM PDT reply actions

fixed

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions

So the 30 Million dollar loan Frank got to meet Payroll is not the talk of the day?

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:44 AM PDT reply actions

Are operating expenses $30 million a month for the Dodgers? That’s what struck me as odd.

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Players alone are about 17 or 18 million, once you cover coaches, Ned, the other executives, minor league staff, hundreds of other employees, yeah I can see 30 million.

@andrewngrant

by regfairfield on Apr 17, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Those aren’t the total operating expenses, but what was borrowed by McCourt

by Eric Stephen on Apr 17, 2011 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions

I’m assuming McCourt borrowed as much as needed from FOX, and Bill Shaikin said the loan will cover payroll up to next month.

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions

I’m guessing borrowing money to meet payroll is not big deal in of itself as that is part of the banking relationship with any business entity, the borrowing from Fox would seem to be the story because he’s tapped out from all the normal relationships one would have?

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Perspective wise, going back to get a loan from the same corporation that you bought the team from in the first place doesn’t speak strongly of being able to run the team independently.

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Grady Sizemore is back for the Indians, home run in his 2nd at bat. Santana hit one in 2nd to break an 0 for 22 slump.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:46 AM PDT reply actions

Gurnick

From yesterday’s recap:

With James Loney and Juan Uribe both hitting below .160, the Dodgers are tempted to call up the torrid Jerry Sands from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Can’t tell if it’s speculation or actual news.

by silverwidow on Apr 17, 2011 10:46 AM PDT reply actions

First time torrid has ever preceeded anything but “love affair”

@andrewngrant

by regfairfield on Apr 17, 2011 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions

Maybe they should bring up the Garcia:)

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions

El Cañonito

by silverwidow on Apr 17, 2011 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Lets also bring up Rubby, Ethan Martin, Chris Withrow, and Dee Gordon for flavor. The team may suck, but at least they’ll cost less.

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions

won’t cost less

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions

You don’t think teams don’t want to trade for Ethier, Blake, and Jon Garland? :)

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

If anyone wanted Jon Garland they would have signed him this past winter.

But I get your point, since you aren’t serious or shouldn’t be that is all I’ll say.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions

No, I wasn’t serious. At least not yet. Hopefully by June we’ll at least above .500 and still in this race.

And there’s always be a fool of a team that trades for a player picked up in a scrapheap the off season before. (i.e. Scotty Pods being traded to the Dodgers)

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Tim Duncan is the Grinch.

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 10:54 AM PDT reply actions

MLBtv is all kinds of awesome

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 10:55 AM PDT reply actions

Sizemore

Already homered

by silverwidow on Apr 17, 2011 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

S & S boys

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Hellickson is as young looking as I’ve ever seen and he’s not that young.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 11:00 AM PDT reply actions

ha, that was funny for a second. I’ve got it on Mosaic and for about 10 seconds are full games went on audio.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Anyone notice the Angels have won eight of ten?

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 11:04 AM PDT reply actions

I have!

by Eric Stephen on Apr 17, 2011 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

should i read the game thread?

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Nah

by Eric Stephen on Apr 17, 2011 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions

You should wear this cap then....

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions

lots has gone right

Conger hitting#, Santana pitching, chatwiod loomed good last night.

These hands will always be rough

by nolander on Apr 17, 2011 11:21 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

How will they ever handle the loss of Jeff Mathis in the line up? It was like the Angels having their own pitcher in the lineup!

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions

KC and Indians now combined 20 – 8 tied for 1st place.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 11:04 AM PDT reply actions

Lot of good minor league info that Brandon posted yesterday.
Withrow – Martin – Lindblom – the trio of 2010 failed expectations combined for 20 K’s in about 12 innings
Robinson hitting
Garcia going Trout on the MidWestLeague, his extra base power in a tough pitching league to me is the story of the system right now.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 11:11 AM PDT reply actions

new post will be up at 11:30

I’m heading downstairs.

by Eric Stephen on Apr 17, 2011 11:15 AM PDT reply actions

They say Mauer lost about 15-20 lbs with the viral infection he had.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 17, 2011 11:15 AM PDT reply actions

Mobile AP rocks.

Makes me wondering why I pay for Wi fi now.

by Tripon on Apr 17, 2011 11:21 AM PDT reply actions

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Pos	No	Player	2012 Salary
C	17	Ellis	$490,000
1B	7	Loney	$6,375,000
2B	37	Herrera	$375,082
3B	6	Hairston	$2,250,000
SS	9	Gordon	$485,000
LF	23	Abreu	$401,311
CF	10	Gwynn	$850,000
RF	16	Ethier	$10,950,000

OF/1B	33	Van Slyke	$388,197
2B/3B	3	Kennedy	$800,000
OF/1B	30	Sands	$375,175
IF	13	DeJesus	$448,992
C	18	Treanor	$850,000

SP	22	Kershaw	$6,000,000
SP	58	Billingsley	$9,000,000
SP	29	Lilly	$12,000,000
SP	44	Harang	$3,000,000
SP	35	Capuano	$3,000,000

CL	74	Jansen	$491,000
RHP	52	Lindblom	$483,000
RHP	51	Belisario	$414,426
RHP	54	Guerra	$488,000
RHP	28	Wright	$900,000
LHP	57	Elbert	$488,500
RHP	60	Coffey	$1,000,000

DL	27	Kemp	$10,000,000
DL	21	Rivera	$4,000,000
DL	12	Sellers	$481,000
DL	5	Uribe	$8,000,000
DL	55	Guerrier	$4,750,000
DL	14	Ellis	$2,500,000
60DL	36	Hawksworth	$495,000
60DL	41	De La Rosa	$485,000

AA	50	Eovaldi	$7,885
AAA	56	Antonini	$7,869

		Manny	$8,087,432	deferred
		Andruw	$3,375,000	deferred
		Pierre	$3,050,000	deferred
		Furcal	$3,000,000	deferred
		Kuroda	$2,000,000	deferred
		Garland	$1,500,000	option buyout
		Blake	$1,250,000	option buyout
DFA	66	MacDougal	$650,000

Totals			$115,942,869
For more detailed information, click here.
Current 40-man roster count: 42 (incl. De La Rosa & Hawksworth)

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National League West Roundup: Rockies Off To Great Start

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