Get Well Juan Nicasio

It's been a long night for me writing about baseball games, writing about baseball brawls, and yes, writing about the unfortunate situation with Juan Nicasio.

Honestly, at this point, I can't go back and analyze anything that happened in that Rockies baseball game, because none of it really matters. All that matters is that today we hear news about Juan Nicasio that brings a relief to all of us, but most importantly to Juan and his family.

To praise, to criticize, to analyze anything that happened in that game wouldn't feel right.

We'll get back to business as usual after Saturday's game. For now, I'll just a say for prayer for Juan Nicasio and hope for the very best.

Get well, kid. Looking forward to witnessing the rest of your bright career with my favorite baseball team.

Lineup Card: 8-5-11 Rockies vs Nationals

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 30-60 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you every night game and some afternoon games.

Link

Yesterday's Recap: Rockies' E's lead the way (not errors for once)

Colorado Rockies (52-60)

1. LF Eric Young
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. 1B Todd Helton
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. RF Seth Smith
6. 2B Chris Nelson
7. 3B Ian Stewart
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P    Juan Nicasio

I love this pitching matchup tonight. Love it. Two young guys that should have bright futures.

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Rock Solid Recap: Rockies' E's lead the way (not errors for once!)

Rockies 6, Nationals 3 (boxscore)

So far, so good for Esmil Rogers in his latest experiment as a starting pitcher. Alright, so technically the 5 inning performance in San Diego was a relief appearance. But in reality it was an extension of that God awful idea with Ubaldo, so I'm considering that as a start as well.

Don't argue with me. I know it's flawed.

Anyway, he pitched well there. He also pitched pretty well here, although we saw a lot of the same problems that have limited his starting potential in the past. He started slow allowing one run on two hits and a walk in the first. A total of 29 pitches in that inning.

That puts him behind the preferred starter's pace. Then he wasn't able to record enough quick outs to get back on pace and couldn't get through the 6th. But he did get the outs without allowing Washington to plate another run. Ultimately that's the most important factor, so I'll call this encouraging and something positive he can build from.

And he gets the win.

Three more positives

1. Eric Young: Eric Young had his best game in a long time at the ML level. Maybe it was his best game to date. Battling leadoff, Young was able to reach base FOUR times (one hit, THREE walks), swiped a bag and knocked in two to lead the offensive attack.

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Lineup Card: 8-4-11 Rockies vs Nationals

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 30-60 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you every night game and some afternoon games.

Alright, so the Lineup Card hasn't been up as much as I'd like in recent days. Chalk that up to normal temperatures and yard work that was three weeks overdue.

Phillies Series Recraps (three of them)

Monday: Street + Phillies = Sadness
Tuesday: Apparently the Phillies have 7 aces now
Wednesday: Thanks for the education

Colorado Rockies (51-60)

1. LF Eric Young
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. 1B Todd Helton
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 3B Ty Wigginton 
6. 2B Chris Nelson
7. RF Ryan Spilborghs
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Esmil Rogers

Seth Smith's reward for homering against Cole Hamels? A comfortable seat on the bench against Ross Detwiler. Oy. Nothing happenin' Ryan Spilborghs gets the starting in right. EY gets left.

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Lackluster Recrap: Thanks for the education

Not that we needed one to realize how far the Rockies are from being relevant in the National League. The Phillies are definitely the measuring stick right now, and thanks to them we confirmed the Rockies are pretty comfortably stationed between the bottom of that stick and the halfway point.

Not even good enough to be mediocre.

Phillies 8, Rockies 6 (boxscore)

Considering Jason Hammel's ups and downs of late, I'd say Wednesday's start went pretty close to what you'd except. Which is unfortunate, because Halladay's start went nothing like I expected. Something decent from Hammel would have actually positioned the Rockies to win this game. Judging from his postgame comments, he's just as dissatisfied with himself as the rest of us.

Rex Brothers continued his very recent struggles. He's now allowed runs in each of his last three appearances, taking the loss in two. That's after allowing ONE run in the 18 appearances prior. So basically, I think any lashing out in his direction would be short-sighted and unnecessary. Hopefully not too much of that is happening in Denver.

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