texans101

Will The Real Jeff Francis Please Stand Up? (Cont.):
I am in shock and awe. When people said that "Ace" Jeff Francis was going to be the biggest liability to a repeat Rocktober because of his 4.00+ ERA over the last two years I laughed, harder than I ever had. It didn't bother me in the slightest because even though he had a higher ERA than most "Aces" we would win with him on the mound because he was generally solid even recording 17 wins last year.

I think Jeff went to the top of them Rockies and got abducted by aliens. Because that man on the mound, is not Jeff Francis.

3 starts... 3 losses (because let's not kid ourselves boys and girls, that Cardinals game, would've been a loss). I've seen some rough starts before, but for someone with so much skill this is unacceptable. Now, don't get me wrong, if he were pitching well and taking the losses, then you can blame that on the bats, but he's not. This is a man who in 34 starts last season, gave up 25 home runs. In the two starts that counted this year, he's already given up six, that just under a quarter that he gave up all last year. I know it's not really my place to judge from my computer chair while he's actually out there, but you're being paid the big money to keep the ball in the park!

Jeff Francis, the title of "Ace" has been revoked from you... your ERA is more than twice what it has been over the last two years, you've only managed one more strikeout than you have walks. I'm sorry buddy, but not even Canadian pride will get you my sympathy now. You suck this year buddy boy.

I'm not going to create a new blog "Soaring on the Sky Sox" just to follow you. You can go down, I'm not going with you.

The Real Todd Helton, Stay in his Damn Chair!:
Todd Helton has always been a great hitter. You want the proof, check his stats, has hasn't hit below .300 since '97. What Todd Helton doesn't usually do, is keep pace with the team's power hitters. Or at least he hasn't in a while... Maybe he's just realised that his 2000 NL batting trophy is all alone on his trophy shelf being excluded by the Gold Gloves.

Someone had to take the lead on the batting end because the most important piece of the pitching staff wasn't stepping up (ahem). Although early in the season, Helton is tied for the team lead in Home Runs and is second on the team for RBI (just behind golden boy Matt Holliday).

Todd, whatever you do, don't turn back into the you from the last two years. I will take the 30+ Home Runs and 100+ RBI, thank you very much.

And so it continues... in the opposite direction as the Rockies finally begin to play the baseball every fan in the universe knows they can.  But if we're talking Colorado you know it's time to Rock on the Rockies!

The Only Thing Hot for "Hot"Lanta:
Is Tom Glavine...  Colorado has never swept Atlanta in a four game series.  Which is what makes the struggling Jeff Francis's start all that more important.  Matt Holliday wasn't going to stay quiet forever and ruined Glavine's perfect day with a two run bomb off of Blaine Boyer.  As much as I'm glad we were able to take game one I'm a little upset at the fact that it caused one of my heroes to have to sit through another no decision.  Sorry Tommy Boy, Rockies come first.

Apparently Matt Holliday has every Rockies blog bookmarked in his web browser.  Just hours after I'd read and posted that he needed to step up he crushed one to save game one against the Braves.  Then he made game two even better.  3-for-4 and 2 RBI was exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for when I tell a star player on a team I love to step it up.  Of course, as good at Matt was I'm going to give the MVP award for game two to Ubaldo Jimenez.  I know, I know... if it weren't for the lineup he would've gotten nothing out of this game at all except an L but seriously.  You've got to be Smart, Calm, and Strong-Willed to bounce back from the possibility of getting pulled in the first to make a name for yourself.  So good on him, and (with the exception of the rough starts) I hope he continues to pitch the way he is right now... easily the most underrated pitcher in our rotation he's got the right stuff.  I'm willing to bet he stole it from Jeff... that would explain a lot.

Game 3.  Or as I feel I should title it:  The Matt Holliday show continues.  Holliday puts up a triple on the worst possible day.  The day he's going to get overshadowed by Ryan Spilborghs, not that this is a bad thing.  We haven't seen much of the 29 year old Spilborghs recently although after that game I think we should tell Scott Podsednik and Brad Hawpe to find some nice comfy seats on the pine.  Now I'm going to admit I am a little bias, as much of a pro as he is, I don't like Brad Hawpe.  He's not a bad player but this year (and especially this year) when we have better outfielders on the bench I don't believe he should start.  No offense Ol' Bean...  this year is not your year.

Starting in Right Field for the Colorado Rockies (insert talented outfielder here):
From Brad Hawpe now is the perfect time to bring up this particular issue.  The Rockies are incredibly deep in the outfield and i've got a bit of a problem with it.  I love that we have a talented core of guys out there so that we can switch people around and give people rest as they need it but please, pick a starter for right field already.  Left field is covered because Matt Holliday carries this offense immensely and on the one day he might take off all year (barring injury) hopefully someone will step up.  Center Field is a bit tricky but Willy Taveras is solid... Rock Solid.

In the right side of the green we've got three very talented players all fighting for the spot.  Scott Podsednik, although he commonly starts in CF is in my opinion the best choice.  He's at minimum a .250 hitter but has shown that he can hit in the upper half of the .200's and even .300+.  He's a very solid fielder and an all around strong presence, especially on the basepaths where he scares the life out of any pitcher that lets him get on base, he has a vast expanse of knowledge which is great on a young team like this one and last but not least he's wearing a World Series ring.  Remember '05?  Chicago White Sox?  Yeah... that one.  The only problem with him is that his numbers can't match up to Hawpe's when it comes to power.  In my opinion he should be starting at CF and on days he's tired Tavares should rotate in.

Although I dislike Brad Hawpe this year because of everything I've said above about the (at least I believe) more talented Scott Podsednik.  It's not like he's new to the whole shebang.  A strong part of the NL Champion team from last year Hawpe has stats to back up his starting role.  Much like Podsednik he's a high .200's hitter.  He's fairly consistent on the long bomb front of things too averaging nearly 30 over the last two seasons.  He's not nearly the base stealing wizard that Scotty is but he makes up for the lack of speed with a very good power game.  116 RBI can't lie... he's a good hitter, especially in the clutch and backs up Matt Holliday when the going gets rough.

Last but not least I'll bring up Ryan Spilborghs, although he doesn't have the starting experience Hawpe has.  He has shown himself more than capable of carrying the load when necessary (2007: 11 HR, 51 RBI in 97 Games).  He's not a starter yet although his performance last night was nothing short of magical, he's only 29 and he will eventually get his big break.  Mark my words.

To me, keeping Podsednik on the pine is a waste of a valuable asset.  Taveras will never match him on the basepaths so I believe the starting outfield should be.  LF - Matt Holliday, CF - Scott Podsednik, RF - Brad Hawpe.

Will the real Jeff Francis please stand up (cont.):
Jeff Francis is the one who's going to take the hill as the Rockies try to sweep the Atlanta Braves in a four-game set for the first time in history.  I already ran Jeff ragged on tuesday so I'm not going to keep drilling him today.  But history is on your struggling ace shoulders Jeff...  No Pressure.

Here we go, it's MLB season again.  The grass is crisp, the baselines are freshly powdered and all the baseball fans of the Mile-High City are all rearing and ready to go... that is after one simple request is answered.

Will the real Jeff Francis please stand up?:
Being a Canadian, I always feel bad ragging on Jeff Francis.  A great pitcher for the length of time he's played the noble game of baseball and an inspiration to every young ballplayer who's oozing with Canadiana, Jeff is going to be the next in what will hopefully be a very long line of talented Canadian ballplayers gracing Coors Field with his dominating presence.  Not that I blame Jeff completely when I cast him into that role, since following Larry Walker is a tough thing to do...  but Canadian pride aside, the Rockies are my boys and Francis is a part of my fantasy roster.  So I've got good reason to rag on him this year.

Jeff man, what are you doing buddy?  I realise that it isn't Rocktober and that now might be the best time to work out the kinks... but you're the ace now Jeff.  You can't be doing this.  You tanked the opener against St. Louis and god decided to take a break from his magical TV set that lets him watch every sporting event simultaneously to rain out your crappy start and give you a second chance.  No offense my man, but you didn't do much better that game against Arizona and you need to... those guys are going to be the biggest opposition to another Rocktober.  6.1 IP, 12 H, 5 ER...  Those are not your type of numbers my friend.  I have no problems with you only striking out three batters, as long as you're doing solid otherwise.  Oh, and 7.11, is a corner store chain, not your ERA...  I hope you solve this problem soon otherwise we aren't going anywhere.

.207 .192, I think you're missing a telephone digit there.:
It's early in the season and I know I really shouldn't touch this for at least another week or two, but here it goes.  Troy, Matt... FIX THIS PROBLEM.  You guys are easily our best and most consistant hitters, Troy... you're hitting okay, but you need to get back your near .300 pace from a year ago.  Matt, you're not so easily forgiven... I love that you've smacked two home runs in two games, that kind of pace is awesome and makes me want to give you a hug but you're a .300+ hitter man, please I'm begging both of you.  Deal with this.

I'm preparing to produce my Top 25 Non-Power's list for next year.

This isn't an exit poll or a pre-season poll.  This is the pre-draft poll... Since the NBA draft is the deciding factor with some of these star oriented teams.

BUT!  I'm only human, I will admit.  So I'm giving anyone an opportunity to get behind their non-power team and tell me what is going to make them a team to beat next year.

Last Chance... who've I missed?