Looking Ahead: How To Win In San Francisco

Trips to San Francisco are death to the Colorado Rockies.

It's been that way for years.

It'll likely continue that way as long as the Giants maintain their incredible starting pitching. That is, unless the Rockies learn to change their approach.

It's a different game AT&T Park. It almost has a playoff feel to it because run scoring chances are so scarse for the Rockies (and every team that plays there), that every wasted one is costly.

It also feels like every run scoring chance the Giants get, they cash in.

Why does it feel that way?

Well, that's because they realize every single run they scratch out means a lot to their pitching staff. They value each chance, not because they fear it's their last, but because they know cashing in means their chances of winning have significantly increased.  Their pitching doesn't need much breathing room.

That's the mindset the Rockies need to bring into these games in San Francisco.

They need to come out this afternoon and VALUE every chance they get. They need to scratch and claw for every run they can squeeze out.

1st and 2nd with no outs? That has to be at least one run.

Leadoff double? It has to score. I don't care how. Get him over and in.

They also need to eliminate the walks when pitching to help eliminate the Giants scratching and clawing opportunities. MAKE them earn it by stringing hits together, because the Giants team is not athletic enough to create runs with speed, and they aren't a relentless force like Philadelphia or St. Louis either. You make their life so much easier when you supply them with free traffic.

Bottom line. The only way to beat San Francisco in their home park is to beat them at their own game. Out scratch them. Out claw them. You'll probably outscore them.

My Lineup Card

CF Fowler
RF Gonzalez
SS Tulowitzki
1B Helton
LF Spilborghs
3B Stewart
2B Barmes
C Phillips
P Chacin

I would give Young a day to catch his breath. Because of that I slide CarGo back to 2nd for the speed factor. I also think it's obvious Miguel Olivo needs a day off.

Simulation

Rockies 6, Giants 5

With 2 outs in the 9th and a 1-2 count, Ian Stewart hit a 3-run HR into McCovey Cove to give the Rockies their first lead of the game. Franklin Morales made that run stand up with a 1-2-3 save.

The Rockies scored five in total in the 9th off of Jeremy Affeldt and Brian Wilson. Todd Helton and Ryan Spilborghs each had 2 out RBI doubles to keep the rally alive.

Jhoulys Chacin was excellent: 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 K and ZERO walks. Please let that hold true in the game today. NO WALKS.

The Giants scored three in the 8th off Rafael Betancourt.