No need for overreactions today.
We haven't seen a whole lot of these. You know, a game the Rockies play and execute well for the entire nine innings. An enitrely stress free ballgame that you never once doubted the Rockies would win. I think I can count maybe 5-6 of those at best -- and of course those were all Jimenez starts.
Bottom Line: I think we need to really savor this one!
Aaron Cook
As any good veteran should, Cook is flat out refusing to relinquish his spot in the rotation. I don't know how much trouble it was ever honestly in, but he's not losing it. Not with performances like we're seeing lately.
And the best news? I think there's still plenty room for improvement. His command is still getting away from him at times, but I slowly see him getting a handle on it (1 walk). When he is getting hit -- aside from the Matsui grand slam (bad pitch) and near Aaron Roward grand slam (bad pitch) -- it's choppers through the infield and seeing eye singles.
That's much more Cookmanlike.
This upcoming decision for Jim Tracy, Dan O'Dowd and many others will be excruciating. Chacin is the heavy favorite to be optioned, clearly, but I think of the established guys, Cook is looking more secure than Francis is right now. That's not to say Francis stinks... it's just the hitting the wall around 85-90 pitches every start.
But again, all the established guys are going to be safe upon DLR's returns, unless something significant occurs in the next week.
CarGo
Is it too soon to call Carlos Gonzalez is the best position player not named Todd Helton to wear a Rockies uniform?
A little too soon?
Alright, I'll just wait until the very second it's not too soon to say it. That home run was another bomb left on left. There just aren't a lot of guys who can swing it that powerfully left on left. It's beautiful. It's special. He should never leave the 3-hole until 2020.
Olivo
The life of a catcher. Miguel took another pounding tonight.
A foul tip off the cage. A foul tip off the sensitive spot. Had a strikeout go through the five-hole on him. He also had another rough slide at third, and a near collision at the plate right after that.
This forthcoming all-star selection is going to make all those ache and pains feel a whole lot better.
Melvin Mora
Is a big league third baseman. It's fortunate he couldn't materialize in the super utility role the Rockies envisioned, but that was actually a pretty poor vision. Maybe if he was 28 he could learn to play these positions, but not 38. The old saying is quite true here...
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Madison Bumgarner
Looks like a baseball player. He's a great athlete. The pitching will continue to develop as he gets used to the ML surroundings, but the makeup is clearly there.The Giants likely have themselves another gem to put in their already stacked rotation.
Damn them.
And Buster Posey ain't half bad either.
Tomorrow
Jhoulys Chacin vs. Tim Lincecum.
There's no doubt where I'll be when the first pitch is thrown out. Should be a good one.