I have always been an avid sports fan, but there was that one sport that never did anything for me... Baseball. All of the delays between pitches, and the fact that out of a three hour long game there was only 20 minutes of action. Then, about four weeks ago, things changed for me. Baseball became exciting because I finally had a team to cheer for. The Colorado Rockies 14 year history includes very few highlights and only one trip to the post-season. A trip that was wiped out quickly by the Dynasty that was the Atlanta Braves. Six consecutive losing seasons have been heart-breaking to watch, but this year could be one of change.
In the off-season, the Rockies dealt ace pitcher Jason Jennings to the Houston Astros for outfielder Willy Taveras, and pitchers Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh. Not many people realize that this deal was supposed to be done with the Chicago White Sox in exchange for their pitcher Jon Garland just five days prior. THANK YOU CHICAGO FOR NOT GETTING THE DEAL DONE RIGHT! These three players that Colorado picked up are constantly contributing to the Rockies success and have their club just one game under .500.
Willy Taveras is currently ranked 5th in stolen bases and 10th in batting average for the National League. Some might wonder how a lead-off hitter is putting up such numbers and the answer is simple: SPEED. Taveras has mastered the art of bunting for a base hit, and it sets up his teammates for some early RBI's. I'm at the point where I'd rather see Willy bunt and beat out a throw, than someone hit a basic single to right field.
When it comes to Hirsh and Buchholz they have both given the Rockies chances to win ball games. Hirsh almost has a 2:1 ratio of strikeouts to walks and Buchholz is sitting pretty with a 3:1 count in that category. The thing that really did it for me was watching how these two handle games on the road. Yesterday the Rocks took down the mighty Red Sox at Fenway 12-2, and it very well may have been the most exciting baseball game I've watched in years. To see the struggling Josh Fogg come in and out-duel Curt Shilling was like watching Barry Bonds get struck out swinging... You just love to see it. And who gave the Rockies some great middle relief? I know it's spelled weird, but you can say it with me... BUCK-HOLT-ZZZ.
Finally, you can't say enough about the "H" crew of Coors Field. Holliday, Helton and Hawpe have been turning it on as of late and all of them are potential all-stars in my mind. They are all batting .300 or higher and Holliday leads the National League. Only two players in the majors have a higher average and if Matt keeps it up, he could be the overall leader heading into the break. I remember the days of the Blake Street Bombers and I can honestly say that the "H" crew takes the cake. I know... it's hard to bump Castilla, Walker and Bichette, but I will give them this: The Bombers' music before they took the plate destroys that of the "H" crew. Sorry fellas, Creed and Nickelback just don't do it for me.
Tonight the Rockies will be playing the Red Sox in the rubber-match of their series at 5:05PM Mountain Time. A win tonight will do many things for the Rocks, but most importantly it will get the team back to an even record. I believe Rockies DH Ryan Spilborghs will have a strong game after last nights struggles, but it will be tough as the Rockies lineup will be facing the undefeated Josh Beckett (9-0). Look for this to be a low scoring affair, as the best pitchers for both teams will face off. The key will be for the Rocks to jump out early like they did last night, and not get behind in the count. If they can do this then the Rockies will win their 4th straight series, and head back home to the Mile High City to face the Devil Rays tomorrow night on a high note.
For all the other Rockies Fans out there, tomorrow is FREE Brad Hawpe Jersey Shirt Night for the first 5,000 fans... and yes I will be one of them.
In the off-season, the Rockies dealt ace pitcher Jason Jennings to the Houston Astros for outfielder Willy Taveras, and pitchers Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh. Not many people realize that this deal was supposed to be done with the Chicago White Sox in exchange for their pitcher Jon Garland just five days prior. THANK YOU CHICAGO FOR NOT GETTING THE DEAL DONE RIGHT! These three players that Colorado picked up are constantly contributing to the Rockies success and have their club just one game under .500.
Willy Taveras is currently ranked 5th in stolen bases and 10th in batting average for the National League. Some might wonder how a lead-off hitter is putting up such numbers and the answer is simple: SPEED. Taveras has mastered the art of bunting for a base hit, and it sets up his teammates for some early RBI's. I'm at the point where I'd rather see Willy bunt and beat out a throw, than someone hit a basic single to right field.
When it comes to Hirsh and Buchholz they have both given the Rockies chances to win ball games. Hirsh almost has a 2:1 ratio of strikeouts to walks and Buchholz is sitting pretty with a 3:1 count in that category. The thing that really did it for me was watching how these two handle games on the road. Yesterday the Rocks took down the mighty Red Sox at Fenway 12-2, and it very well may have been the most exciting baseball game I've watched in years. To see the struggling Josh Fogg come in and out-duel Curt Shilling was like watching Barry Bonds get struck out swinging... You just love to see it. And who gave the Rockies some great middle relief? I know it's spelled weird, but you can say it with me... BUCK-HOLT-ZZZ.
Finally, you can't say enough about the "H" crew of Coors Field. Holliday, Helton and Hawpe have been turning it on as of late and all of them are potential all-stars in my mind. They are all batting .300 or higher and Holliday leads the National League. Only two players in the majors have a higher average and if Matt keeps it up, he could be the overall leader heading into the break. I remember the days of the Blake Street Bombers and I can honestly say that the "H" crew takes the cake. I know... it's hard to bump Castilla, Walker and Bichette, but I will give them this: The Bombers' music before they took the plate destroys that of the "H" crew. Sorry fellas, Creed and Nickelback just don't do it for me.
Tonight the Rockies will be playing the Red Sox in the rubber-match of their series at 5:05PM Mountain Time. A win tonight will do many things for the Rocks, but most importantly it will get the team back to an even record. I believe Rockies DH Ryan Spilborghs will have a strong game after last nights struggles, but it will be tough as the Rockies lineup will be facing the undefeated Josh Beckett (9-0). Look for this to be a low scoring affair, as the best pitchers for both teams will face off. The key will be for the Rocks to jump out early like they did last night, and not get behind in the count. If they can do this then the Rockies will win their 4th straight series, and head back home to the Mile High City to face the Devil Rays tomorrow night on a high note.
For all the other Rockies Fans out there, tomorrow is FREE Brad Hawpe Jersey Shirt Night for the first 5,000 fans... and yes I will be one of them.
By: Adam Casinelli
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