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Rox take afterseason opener

Did anyone see yesterday's game? The Rockies beat the Phillies 4-2 to take a 1-0 lead in their playoff series.

I can't say much about the game, though I did see most of it. The Rockies took an early lead and never fell behind. Also, Cole Hamels, the Phillies' starting pitcher, walked in a run. In other words, the Rockies cruised over what appeared to be an overmatched opponent.

Though the high-scoring offense is key to the success of any Rockies team, I'm most excited by the state of our pitching, which is as deep as a high-altitude team needs it to be. Boy, back in my day, the Rockies never had this many competent relievers. In those days, the Rockies would just cross their fingers and hope to get a decent inning from a pitcher who was a complete trainwreck. That happened, or at least it felt like it happened, every single game. No more. A few years ago, LaTroy Hawkins would've been one of the best relievers in franchise history. Now, he comes in in the seventh inning.

However, it's just one game, and in baseball especially it's too early to jump to conclusions. The Phillies have to be better than they showed yesterday. But can they be better enough?

Comments

blaine said…
Unfortunately I didn't see the game (it's on at 1 in the freak'n afternoon) but I was able to listen to most of it on the radio. I've been watching the Rockies for a number of years and this is definitely the best Rockies bullpen I've seen so far. I can't ever remember a time before when the Rockies have had two pitchers that could be the closer, in fact, there are very few teams in the league that have that luxury. Also, finally, the Rockies have the relievers to get them to the 8th inning. Whether it's Herges, Affedlt, or Hawkins we can finally hand the ball over to the bullpen with confidence that he will get us to the 8th without giving up 5 or 6 runs.

Also, I'm really excited about Jimenez and Morales. There is no way we would be in the playoffs without these two guys stepping up and winning some really important games after we lost Cook and Hirsh. The Rox should have a pretty good pitching staff next year with all these young pitchers emerging and playing well in high pressure situations.
Anonymous said…
i love the rockies
David said…
the answer is... no they cannot.

go rockies.. this is so exciting and satisfying. i'd love to see them get to the world series, although i'd feel like a freshman going out with a senior in high school... way out of my league.

how far will they get? i suspect the NLCS...

how's about this for a story.... the hawk starting his midget son at qb? where's the story on our buffs, eh?
John said…
We can now add a game 2 drubbing to the list. It looks like these Rox are for real, and our pitching has been surprisingly solid. Wasn't it HPS that predicted that the Rox would be legit World Series contenders if they made the playoffs?

As for Hawkins starting his midget son, I have no problem as long as we can beat Oklahoma. But I do have a problem with Hawkins calling a passing play every single down in the fourth quarter so his son can have the glory if we win.
Mike said…
I was feeling the NLCS too, non-anonymous david, but I really like the Diamondbacks as a matchup now. I think the freshman/senior analogy is perfect.

I'm with John on Hawkins...but the whole coach's son angle feels like something that should have stayed in high school, where that stuff happens all the time. But hey, we're way better than last year.

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