Happy Opening Day!

We got action in Milwaukee. Our favorite drinking town with a baseball problem.

Rockies @ Brewers -- Miller Park

Ubaldo Jimenez vs Yovani Gallardo

Seth Smith starts, Dexter Fowler sits, and it's alright

A non-story any other day but Opening Day. I'd say this was an easy decision for Tracy. One that I'm actually quite pleased he went ahead with. You're facing a legitimate right-handed ace, so why not start your obvious best left-handed hitters? Give yourself the best chance you can to win. He doesn't have to explain that to me.

As for Fowler, hopefully it will take A LOT more than sitting on Opening Day to rattle his confidence. If it doesn't, then there's a more to develop than just his right-handed swing. You know he'll be in the game late for defense, and he'll start games 2 & 3 against a couple lefties. You'll see Ryan Spilborghs get one start for sure, maybe even two. Everyone in the pool for series one. I like it.

Key to the Game -- Make Gallardo work

Gallardo, like Jimenez, is such a workhorse that if you let him get just a little comfortable, he'll be kicking your ass in the 8th inning like he just walked in from the bullpen in the 1st. Great arm, but he will walk people. Carry that strong plate discipline over from spring training, get deep in counts, make him pay, and then send him to the shower by the 6th inning.

Winning Player -- Seth Smith

Smith is going to reward Jim Tracy for his faith with a big opener. Something like three hits with a home run in there somewhere sounds about right.

Check out...

This excellent piece on the Rockies by David Martin from Rockies Review and In Denver Times.

Let's do this

I'll have running during the game right here on the site. Post-game analysis afterward. Who knows what else. It's Opening Day and we're flying by the seat of our pants.