Looking Ahead: Time For Sharper Baseball

Throw the records out the window.

I don't care if the Dodgers are 20-8, 14-14, or 8-20, they're a talented team. Not only are they talented, but I think we're all aware of how well they play against Colorado.

I don't care that the Rockies are 14-14. The baseball they've played to get them that very average record simply won't cut it against this LA team. It barely cut it against San Diego, and it damn sure won't cut it in the Philadelphia series coming up next week.

But let's not get too far ahead.

Esmil Rogers vs. Hiroki Kuroda

Runs probably won't be easy to come by again for the offense. Kuroda is a solid pitcher that's off to a nice start. He's over the scary incident last season where he was struck in the head by a line drive. He's throwing the ball confidently, more confidently than anyone else on the LA staff, and will present a challenge.

Rogers just has to throw strikes. That's as cliched as it gets, but that's exactly the script that worked for Chacin last Sunday, and it's exactly what he needs to do. Make a struggling LA offense earn everything they get.

My Lineup Card

CF Fowler
LF Smith
1B Helton
SS Tulowitzki
RF Gonzalez
C Olivo
3B Stewart
2B Barmes
P Rogers

Let's assist Mr. Rogers by giving him defensive players playing the defensive position they're accustomed to playing. That's not something we should have to hope for, but with the odd little ideas running around in Mr. Tracy's mind, we have to cross our fingers he'll get the most basic of lineup decisions correct.

Simulation

Dodgers 6, Rockies 5

And the simulation condradicts everything i'm saying about defense.

This was horrible.

After Carlos Gonzalez gave the Rockies a 5-3 lead in the 7th with a 2-run single, the game absolutely fell apart.

With two outs and no one on in the 8th, Clint Barmes committed his 2nd error of the game, overthrowing Helton. Next batter singled an unearned run home to make it 5-4.

In the 9th, Troy Tulowitzki booted an easy grounder for an error. One batter later, Barmes committed his 3rd error, bobbling a would be double play ball. After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk of Andre Either, Ronnie Belliard doubled home the tying and winning runs.

In total a four error game for the defense.

Dexter Fowler: 3-for-4, 3 runs, 3 singles, walk.
CarGo: 1-for-5, 3 RBI.