Rock Solid Recap: All That's Old Is New Again

Check the calendar. Make sure it doesn't read October 3rd, 2007.

On that day, the Rockies defeated the Philadelphia Philkes 4-2 in Game 1 of the NLDS. (boxscore)

The Winning Pitcher: Jeff Francis

The Save: Mamy Corpas

Today looked an awful lot like that day.

Rockies 2, Nationals 1

Winning Player: Jeff Francis

Jeff Francis didn't get the real win, but he did more than any Rockies fan, player, coach, or Francis himself could have imagined. He was flat brilliant. Actually, he was better than brilliant. He was on whatever level Ubaldo Jimenez has lived on all season. Yes, that's how good he was.

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Lineup Card: Welcome Back, Francis

After hearing the news late last night about Huston Street leaving a rehab appearance with a groin injury, I've been checking the updates every five minutes to make sure Francis didn't sleep wrong on his arm again or twist an ankle walking to the bullpen.  

He didn't.

He's been activated from the DL, struggling Matt Daley has been optioned to Colorado Springs, and the lineups are in.

Rockies Lineup

• CF Gonzalez
• LF Spilborghs
• RF Hawpe
• SS Tulowitzki
• 1B Helton
• C   Olivo
• 3B Stewart
• 2B Barmes
• P   Francis

Nationals Lineup

• CF Morgan
• SS Desmond
• RF Guzman
• 3B Zimmerman
• LF Willingham
• C   Rodriguez
• 1B Morse
• 2B Al. Gonzalez
• P   Olsen

Olsen recently no-hit the Braves for seven innings.  I doubt he'll have any success close to that today.  Jim Riggleman rests Dunn, Kennedy and Bernadina against the lefty starter.  That gives him some nice options late in the game.  Don't be surprised if Greg Smith makes him reliever debut to counteract one of those guys.

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