Saturday, September 11, 2010

Rock Solid Recap: Being Better At Baseball

The Colorado Rockies have a job to do. They also currently have an opponent that quite frankly stinks, but for some reasons gives them fits in 2010. 

Best way to remedy that? Show up with some focus and be better at baseball.

It's really that simple.

The talent level between the Rockies and Diamondbacks was pretty much even back in 2007. I expected it to stay that way for at least the next 4-5 years... but it hasn't. The two rosters aren't even close, and tonight, that difference in talent was on full display.


This game was essentially over the moment Todd Helton laced this 2-run single in the first inning (Highlight). For real. The Diamondbacks could have packed their bags and headed back to the hotel right then and there.

One big reason for that? Jorge De La Rosa. Again, not the most efficient work from DLR, but he was inefficiently dominant with 10 Ks over 6 six innings of 2 run ball. Despite the 103 pitches in those 6 innings, he did not walk a batter. Several full counts are what led to an early departure. And he may have left early anyway because of the lopsided score.

Another big reason for that? Troy Trevor Tulowitzki. T Times 3, as in 3-for-3 with 2 bombs, 3 runs, 4 RBI and a token BB. That makes 5 HR in 3 games. That's what they call white hot in the baseball broadcasting business.

Ryan Spilborghs (2-for-3,2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Eric Young (2-for-5, RBI, SB), Melvin Mora (2-for-3, 2 R, BB), Todd Helton (2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB) & Miguel Olivo (1-for-4, 3B, 3 RBI) all had big nights for the Rockies as well.

See what I mean? The talent differential is quite staggering.

And how about *cringe* Franklin Morales? Tonight made two excellent outings in a row. This one was actually dominant (1-2-3, 2 Ks).

I was the last one off the Morales bandwagon earlier in the season. I'm very hesitant to be the first one back on, but I do really like what I'm seeing. Granted he's been eased into two very low pressure situations, but I'm still praying to the Baseball Gods that some sort of switch has been flipped here.

All that hope aside, he would have to be absolutely insane for the next three weeks to even be a consideration for a playoff roster should the Rockies become that fortunate. But just having another reliable lefty arm for three weeks would be huge in aiding that process.

Tomorrow

Ubaldo Jimenez vs Rodrigo Lopez

As pitching matchups go, this one appears slightly advantageous for our favorite baseball team.  Regardless, the Rockies have more work to do. No time to start making any assumptions or losing focus. Just come out and be better at baseball for 9 more innings.

0 comments: