It's a Start
The Rockies won last night to give them consecutive victories for the first time this season. I know that many will say it's only two games, but I will go with the adage that you have to win two in a row to win three in a row...and so on. Also, I believe there are definite positives that can be taken from not only the last two games, but the last five. Here are some reasons to be optimistic:
This last time through the rotation, each starter has gone at least six innings, with Jennings being the only member to give up more than two runs. This is important if the Rox are going to have a chance to win, because clearly the bullpen cannot be counted on to shut down the opposition for four or five innings.
The Rox are 3-2 since they ended their 8-game skid. Now, this isn't anything to get overly excited about, but it does indicate that this young team is able to put each game behind them and start fresh each day.
In those five games since the losing streak, the team ERA is 4.40. Again, nothing to earn the Rox headlines on Baseball Tonight, but definitely a step in the right direction. On April 15 the Rox' ERA was 8.28, so 4.40 looks relatively miniscul.
Chin-hui Tsao. Tsao gives the Rox something they have never had: a pitcher who can consistently bring big-time heat. There aren't many players that can routinely turn on a 96+ MPH fastball, so a closer who can do that is a benefit. This doesn't work all the time (see Billy Wagner vs. Vinny Castilla), but the percentages are high. Tsao blew a 98 MPH fastball by Burrell, who has been one of the hottest hitters to start the season.
Clint Barmes. This morning, Barmes can look at the paper and see his name on top for NL batting average. Now, no one expects Barmes to hit anywhere close to this all year, but he has proven he can hit MLB pitching and has created somewhat of a dilemma for Hurdle when Atkins is healthy. Atkins was slated as the #2 hitter in the batting order, but how do you take Barmes out of that slot when he's hitting .463. Good luck to Hurdle figuring this one out.
It is getaway day in Philly, which means an 11:00 a.m. game today. Kennedy vs. Lieber.
This last time through the rotation, each starter has gone at least six innings, with Jennings being the only member to give up more than two runs. This is important if the Rox are going to have a chance to win, because clearly the bullpen cannot be counted on to shut down the opposition for four or five innings.
The Rox are 3-2 since they ended their 8-game skid. Now, this isn't anything to get overly excited about, but it does indicate that this young team is able to put each game behind them and start fresh each day.
In those five games since the losing streak, the team ERA is 4.40. Again, nothing to earn the Rox headlines on Baseball Tonight, but definitely a step in the right direction. On April 15 the Rox' ERA was 8.28, so 4.40 looks relatively miniscul.
Chin-hui Tsao. Tsao gives the Rox something they have never had: a pitcher who can consistently bring big-time heat. There aren't many players that can routinely turn on a 96+ MPH fastball, so a closer who can do that is a benefit. This doesn't work all the time (see Billy Wagner vs. Vinny Castilla), but the percentages are high. Tsao blew a 98 MPH fastball by Burrell, who has been one of the hottest hitters to start the season.
Clint Barmes. This morning, Barmes can look at the paper and see his name on top for NL batting average. Now, no one expects Barmes to hit anywhere close to this all year, but he has proven he can hit MLB pitching and has created somewhat of a dilemma for Hurdle when Atkins is healthy. Atkins was slated as the #2 hitter in the batting order, but how do you take Barmes out of that slot when he's hitting .463. Good luck to Hurdle figuring this one out.
It is getaway day in Philly, which means an 11:00 a.m. game today. Kennedy vs. Lieber.
posted by Todd Nikkel | 7:17 AM
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