I'll start off by mentioning another new lineup look for the Rockies.
EY Jr.s starts in LF and leads off. Fowler in CF. Carlos Gonzalez moves up to third and plays RF. That gives the Rockies an abundance of speed at the top of the order. Tulowitzki stays in his spot.
Todd Helton drops to fifth. Interesting idea I suppose. He's not hitting for power, which isn't unusual for him these days, but he's still maintained his ability to get on base throughout his career. Maybe this will kickstart him, I'm not sure, I guess I was just liking the dynamic of CarGo providing Tulo with protection and giving the middle of the a little speed boost.
I mean they did score 23 runs in two games with that lineup, so I'm not sure I understand the need for a big change tonight. Guess we'll see how it works out.
Olivo, Mora (starts for Stewart), Barmes and Cook round out the lineup card.
The Rockies open a three game series in San Francisco tonight. In case you haven't heard, the Giants have the best pitching in baseball.
So basically the Rockies are going to have to pitch the baseball with great success themselves if they plan on leaving the bay area with a victory or two.
And it starts right off with a bad matchup for the offense. Barry Zito was murder on them in all four starst last season (2-0, 0.95). That's pretty ridiculous.
Speaking of ridiculous... Zito is 3-0 this season with a 1.32 ERA.
I have ranked the struggling Rockies in order of my confidence in them to turn it around.
Giambi is #1 because his main role on the team is to hit. Eventually he will, because that's what professioanl hitters do.
I read a couple things going off on Morales after Wednesday's game and I just sorta scratched my head. He was hardly the problem in that game. In fact, if you look at how things have played out, Morales could be 5-for-5 in save chances if not for a Tulowitzki error and then an umpire error in Atlanta. So he's not KILLING the team like you might think he is.
The game has been postponed due to cold, crappy, Colorado April weather.
There will be a doubleheader with the Marlins beginning tomorrow at 3:10 local time in Denver.
Per Joe Capozzi -- The Marlins will go with Ricky Nolasco in Game 1 and Nate Robertson in Game 2. I assume the Rockies will counter with Greg Smith and Aaron Cook in their current order.
Everyone stay warm and dry and find something fun to do with their Friday evening.
Me? I'm going to bed early and fueling up for a doubleheader.
Tonight's pitching matchup has the potential for very ugly results.
I say that not because I don't believe in Greg Smith -- because you all know I do if you've been reading since Spring Training -- it's just a very difficult matchup for a lefty with his type of stuff. Extremely difficult.
The Marlins lineup will be loaded with potent and powerful right-handed bats -- Hanley Ramirez, Jorge Cantu, Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, Cameron Maybin, Ronny Paulino -- that are capable of putting up runs in a hurrry.
Here I was all prepared for a 6:05 CT first pitch only to discover the Braves are doing the 35 after first pitch. I'd like to say that's annoying but I can only imagine how annoyed fans are by the Rockies 40 after first pitch time. Of course nothing tops the White Sox 7:11 start times.
Now I have to find something productive to do with my next 30 minutes... like laundry, or exercise.
Oh, and there is some good news on the injury/flu front. Brad Hawpe and Todd Helton are both in the lineup in their customary spots. Carlos Gonzalez is available for pinch-hit duty and could start a game in this series. All very positive things. Now hopefully yesterday's debacle served as a wake-up call and we see a whole different team out there tonight.
Update: My only productive activity in the last half hour was getting the mail. Now it's time for baseball in Atlanta!
I don't know what's going on with the Rockies pitchers and their sore shoulders and armpits. I mean seriously... a sore armpit? Late April Fools joke? Did he sleep wrong? Allergic reaction to deoderant? You have to admit Francis looks like the kid at your high school that was allergic to everything.
I do know I feel awful for Jeff. He traveled a long, long road of rehab and recovery to get this close to that next MLB start that seemed like it was never coming. I'm fairly certain this won't prove to be anything too serious, but you have to figure a little doubt creeps into the back of his mind when this pops up now of all times.
Okay, so being down two pitchers (in addition to Buchholz) before you even play game #1 of 162 isn't what you're hoping for. However, I do believe this latest thing to Francis gives the Rockies their best possible starting rotation on Opening Day. Maybe not in the correct order -- thanks to Tracy oddly naming Francis #2 -- but definitely the right five guys.