NL West Recap: 7-26-10

I think we're getting to the point where we need to take a closer look at the direct competition in the NL West. You know, before they get too far out of reach.

San Diego Padres: Idle

After taking care of business in Pittsburgh, the Padres receive their second day off since the all-star break. The Rockies? Still no days off until next Tuesday. Thanks for that, Bud.

San Diego will host the Dodgers for three starting tonight. I guess we pull for the Dodgers? Or do we pull for the Padres because the Dodgers are a more direct threat in the wildcard race?

See that's the problem when you go 2-9 on a road trip and allow 3-4 teams to pass you in the standings. You have to start pulling for everyone to lose and unfortunately they all start playing each other and the scenarios start becoming impossible.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Idle

The pitching matchup tonight in San Diego is Chad Billingsly vs Jon Garland.  I think LA will take that one.

Marlins 4, Giants 3

Ricky Nolasco outloasted Barry Zito in a matchup of pitchers that absolutely dominate the Rockies. Yes, it's true there have been a ridiculous amount of pitchers that have dominated the Rockies this season, but these two have doing it for years. And doing it big.

Mike Stanton is really starting to standout for Florida. He impressed me a lot in the Rockies series down there. Last night he crushed a solo HR in the 5th inning, and then he provided some insurance with an RBI double in the 8th. Dan Uggla also hit a solo HR off Zito.

Those two teams will rematch tonight with an even better pitching matchup: Josh Johnson vs Matt Cain. I know where I'll be tuning as soon as the Rockies game concludes.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Idle

They're headed to Philadelphia. Looks like the Phillies win streak could reach at least eight, possibly more.

Rock Solid Recrap: That Didn't End Well

Didn't really start well or get well at any point either.  

Riddle: How do you render an 8-2 home stand completely meaningless?

Answer later in the post.

Phillies 5, Rockies 4

I can sum up this game in four sentences.  Count along.

1) Ryan Spilborghs lost a ball in the sun.

2) Carlos Gonzalez and Seth Smith ran into each other allowing backup catcher Brian Schneider a two-run triple.

There really are no words to describe that.

3) Jason Hammel a made poor throw to first and Giambi made an even worse attempt to catch it.

4) Jason Giambi threw a possible double play ball into LF.

That all happened in one inning... wiithin about five batters.

That's really all you need to know.

Oh, and this was Joe Blanton's first start all season where he didn't allow at least three runs.  So the Rockies run of making average-to-miserable pitchers look like all-stars continued.

Jason Hammel was pretty alright.  Not great, but he didn't really have a chance to be great because his defense had him behind the 8-ball early and those extra pitches needed had him all out of whack.  I'd give him a B for his effort and a C for the overall results.

Riddle Answer: By following it with a 2-9 road trip.

I know... that was an easy one.

Tomorrow

The Rockies begin a 10-day, 9-game hom estand against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  After three with them, the Rockies play the Cubs for four and the Giants for a quick two.

This cannot be a 5-4 home stand.  It has to be no worse than 7-2, 8-1.  The Rockies are by no means done or eliminated from playoff contention, but realistically speaking, they have to again play insanely good baseball for 2 months straight just to make that season-ending four game series in St. Louis a meaningful one.

There's literally no margin for error left for a team that can't seem to get out of bed without tripping themselves.

Fowler's Plate Appearance Log Since The HR

I have a really strong feeling Dexter Fowler goes down tomorrow to make room for Troy Tulowitzki.  

Here's why.

Dexter Fowler's plate appearances since his 3-run HR to tie a game with St. Louis in the 8th inning.

Number of pitches in the AB in ( ).

1. IF Single (4)
2. SO Looking (7)
3. Double (1)
4. Walk (8)
5. 1-3 (4)
6. SO Looking (5)
7. SO Swinging (6)
8. SO Swinging (6)
9. SO Looking (3)
10. SO Swinging (8)
11. 1-3 (1)
12. SO Swinging (5)
13. 1-3 (4)
14. SO Swinging (4)
15. F-8 (6)
16. Walk (4)
17. SO Swinging (6)
18. F-8 (4)
19. 4-3 (2)
20. F-4 (3)
21. SO Swinging (7)
22. F-7 (2)
23. F-9 (2)
24. Double (4)
25. 4-3 (3)
26. F-7 (5)
27. 6-3 (2)
28. 5-3 (2)
29. SO Swinging (4)
30. Walk (9)
31. 3-3 (2)
32. SO Swinging (6)
33. HBP (3)
34. 6-3 (5)
35. F-7 (3)
36. Walk (5)
37. Walk (6)
38. SO Swinging (4)
39. F-9 (3)
40. F-8 (5)
41. 3-1 (6)
42. Double (2) -- Out attempting to stretch it to a triple.  
43. SO Swinging (5)
44. F-8 (2)
45. 3-3 (5)
46. Single (3)
47. SO Swinging (3)

• 5-for-41
• 15 Strikeouts
• 5 Walks/1 HBP

Still think a HR can't screw a kid up?  

Lineup Card: Rockies @ Phillies

The Rockies are going to win today.  I can feel it!  I can feel it because I can't think of another way they could lose a game, so they must be due to win.  Let's get it done!

Rockies Lineup (51-47)

• LF  Smith
• 2B  Herrera
• CF  Gonzalez
• 1B  Giambi
• RF  Spilborghs
• 3B  Stewart
• C    Olivo
• SS  Barmes
• P    Hammel

Phillies Lineup (52-46)

• SS  Rollins
• 2B  Polanco
• LF  Ibanez
• 1B  Howard
• RF  Gload
• CF  Victorino
• 3B  Dobbs
• C    Schneider
• P    Blanton

Read more »

Rock Solid Recrap: Which Way To Home Plate?

Phillies 4, Rockies 3

The winning run scores on a wild pitch that gets no more than 10 feet from home plate while Rafael Betancourt stands there pointing.

Welcome to our baseball hell.

Seriously.

Just when you think this team can't possibly look any less focused or fundamentally prepared. Just when you think this team couldn't play with less urgency. Just when you think this team has reached rock bottom.

They find a way to sink a little bit lower.

But wait! There's more!

How about some of those late ABs with RISP?

We have Carlos Gonzalez trying to pull everything 25 rows up the RF bleachers. That's actually a positive, because if you recall in Cincinnati he was trying to pull everything over the Ohio River. So at least he's toned it down a little bit. The results still suck, but the swing is closer to normal.

On the other end of the spectrum... What was Ryan Spilborghs looking for? He's challenging you! Fight back! Swing even.

We have guys overswinging with the bases loaded. We have guys up there taking two pitches right down the middle with the bases loaded. And then we have Ian Stewart coming up with the bases loaded, two outs in the 9th, and he does a liittle bit of both.

What the hell is going on?

How does Don Baylor continue to steal money while our hitters regress or flatline?

Today's Silver Lining

Real nice job by Jeff Francis.

Maybe not the length you'd hope for out of a starting pitcher, but he limited his damage against a very good lineup and obviously kept his team in the game. As always the key was avoiding the extra traffic with walks. The only walk he did issue was intentional, which helped get him through a tough 4th inning jam.

He was aggressive. He pitched inside and without fear of contact. He made the Phillies string enough hits together to score their runs. That's not something we saw during his rough three game stretch prior to the all-star break. This is the type of pitcher Francis needs to be if he hopes to contribute the final two months of the season.

I would give his start a solid B.

Tomorrow

Do we have to?