Lineup Card: Rockies @ Cardinals 7-4-12

Monday's Recrap: Outman? More Like Out Of The Rotation.

Tuesday's Recap: Francis, Colvin Continue Carrying Rockies

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (31-49)

1. Dexter Fowler (CF)
2. Marco Scutaro (2B)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Tyler Colvin (RF)
5. Todd Helton (1B)
6. Chris Nelson (3B)
7. Wil Nieves (C)
8. Jonathan Herrera (SS)
9. Jeremy Guthrie (P)

— Tyler Colvin is hitting cleanup for the time this season, which means he's now started at every spot in the order expect for 9th. I think we can rule that out now with interleague play over, but, then again, you know all about Dan O'Dowd and Jim Tracy's radical ideas.

— I would not have minded an outfield of Gonzalez, Fowler and Eric Young today for one reason: Defense doesn't matter with Jeremy Guthrie pitching. You just need guys who can run to the wall quickly.

— Josh Outman was optioned to Double-A Tulsa (according to Tracy Ringolsy) this afternoon. No word yet on if he shoulderblocked Tracy on his way out of the manager's office, but we do know Carlos Torres was recalled to take his spot.

 St. Louis Cardinals (42-39)

1. Rafael Furcal (SS)
2. Jon Jay (CF)
3. Matt Holliday (LF)
4. Carlos Beltran (RF)
5. Allen Craig (1B)
6. Yadier Molina (C)
7. David Freese (3B)
8. Skip Schumaker (2B)
9. Adam Wainwright (P)

More Rockies thoughts await you if you follow me on Twitter: @Townie813 & @HeavenHelton

Rock Solid Recap: Francis, Colvin Continue Carrying Rockies

Rockies 3, Cardinals 2 (boxscore)

Winning Player #1: Jeff Francis — 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 77 pitches (49 strikes)

Francis continues to pitch like a veteran that has reached the mountain top, hit rock bottom, and is hungry to make that long, exhausting climb back to where the view is best. He's really providing a huge boost to Dan O'Dowd pitching gimmick. In fact, he's completely unfazed by it.. and dare I say, it might actually suit him perfectly.

It's just unfortunate the Rockies don't have a real rotation and there are no healthy, productive arms around him right now, because this Jeff Francis as a 4th or 5th starter gives you a huge advantage over most of the National League in those slots.

Winning Player #2: Tyler Colvin

Dan O'Dowd did win one trade this offseason. He won it big. Tyler Colvin has been a wonderful addition so far, and his three-run homer on Tuesday was just the latest large contribution he's made.

I was cautiously optimistic when the O'Dowd acquired him over the Winter Meetings. My conclusion being: He'll need to hit to matter. Well, he's hitting (his .810 slugging percentage was the highest in baseball since June 9 entering Tuesday's game), and I'm flat out ecstatic he's a part of the organization now and should remain a big part of it for the foreseeable future.

Turning Point/Highlight of the Night

Watch Tyler Colvin's three-run jack

Read more »