The Dodgers are set to play the Rockies starting tomorrow night in Denver. The Rockies were down 15½ games at the end of play on June 3, but have gone 50-22 since, a .694 clip to close the gap to 3½ games. Here is a brief look at how the top two teams in the NL West match up:
| Dodgers | Team | Rockies |
| 74-51, 1st in NL | Record | 70-54, 4th in NL |
| 76-49, 1st in NL | Pythag Record | 70-54, 3rd in NL |
| +125, 1st in NL | Run Differential | +83, 3rd in NL |
| 4.82, 4th in NL | Runs/Gm | 5.10, 2nd in NL |
| .332, 5th in NL | wOBA | .341, 2nd in NL |
| 3.82, 2nd in NL | Runs Allowed | 4.43, 6th in NL |
| 3.86, 3rd in NL | FIP | 3.96, 5th in NL |
| .720, 1st in NL | Def Efficiency | .686, 6th in NL |
The Rockies finish their four-game series against the Giants tonight, with Jason Marquis facing Barry Zito. Marquis pitching tonight means he won't pitch against the Dodgers this series. Marquis is the only Rockies' pitcher to beat the Dodgers this year, as the Dodgers have won 10 of 12 against Colorado.
Just as it was foolish for me to call the division race over back in June, it is also foolish to call the Rockies' run one of the greatest comebacks of all time, because they haven't comeback from anything yet. Last time I checked, three or four games back is not tied, nor is it leading the division. Sure, the Rockies could get even closer with a series win, and even pull even with a sweep, but as the great Neil McCauley once said:
There is a flip side to that coin. What if you do got me boxed in and I gotta put you down? Cause no matter what, you will not get in my way. We've been face to face, yeah. But I will not hesitate. Not for a second.
Its time for the Dodgers to not hesitate, and put the Rockies down. Yes, I'm aware McCauley died at the end of Heat, but the Dodgers are disciplined enough not to put themselves in danger by going out of their way to punish Vicente Padilla should he cause trouble. Padilla is no Waingro.
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Giants vs. Rockies, 5:40pm: Baseball Reference Preview | Gameday