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.
