The third game of this series against the new-look San Diego Padres may be the biggest. The Rockies have to start establishing some kind of home-field respectability. Despite a better effort last night and an outstanding game from Nick Hundley, the potent San Diego lineup broke through against a normally reliable Boone Logan.
Once again, the glaring lack of a #1 starter is evident. Big Game James Shields matches up against Kyle Kendrick. The Rox’ 7 wins have all come when the opposition scores 4 runs or less, so Kendrick’s job is to keep damage to a minimum – something he hasn’t done in his two previous starts.
The first big roster moves of the year were made today. Wilin Rosario was sent packing for Albuquerque, what may be a precursor to a trade. John Axford rejoins the club after tending to his family needs, and Scott Oberg is back with LaTroy Hawkins going on the DL with an (alleged) biceps injury.
| San Diego Padres RF: Wil Myers 2B: Yangervis Solarte LF: Matt Kemp CF: Justin Upton 1B: Yonder Alonso C: Derek Norris 3B: Will Middlebrooks SS: Alexi Amarista SP: James Shields |
Rockies CF: Charlie Blackmon LF: Corey Dickerson SS: Troy Tulowitzki 1B: Justin Morneau 3B: Nolan Arenado RF: Carlos Gonzalez C: Michael McKenry 2B: DJ LeMahieu SP: Kyle Kendrick |
What we’re watching:
CarGo needs a new clutch
People are getting on in front of CarGo – he has seen 31 runners on base. The percentage of those runners who score is an abysmal 13%. Tulo, who fans whine about being “not clutch” on Twitter, is 29%. StatCast “exit ball velocity” stat plus a $5 bill gets you a Happy Meal at McDonald’s – in other words, it’s pretty worthless unless coupled with results.
Rosario down
IMHO, 3 catchers was the last thing this team needs, even under normal bullpen wear and tear. Rosario’s trade value as catcher is near zero. Sending him to AAA for exclusive work at 1B says they are looking for an AL trade partner even more intensely – but they are not going to get any ML-ready players back.
Axford, Oberg back
Just praying the little guy gets better. An experienced arm in pen will help with Hawk going on DL. Axford will likely have a 7th role until he’s back in form. Oberg’s obliteration in LA should be a character builder. I’ve changed my mind on the Ottavino situation. Not worrying about the 9th with one solid guy means all hands on deck for the 6th, 7th, 8th, instead of holding 3 guys back for a 9th we never get to.
Insanely wild things
Forget about ERA, worry about hitting the catcher’s glove. Rockies starters:
14 starts, 71.2 IP (essentially 5.0)
5.27 BB/9 (worst in MLB), 516 balls (worst), 721 strikes (28th)
54.3% first pitch strikes (worst in MLB)
Weiss “not worried about bullpen innings”
Every fan wants a completely airtight pen, but it doesn’t exist. Relievers get hit on some nights, and have to battle while absorbing damage. Rockies relievers are holding up well:
52.1 innings (3rd most)
16 holds (most in MLB)
9 walks (2nd best, only behind Royals)
Career against Shields:
Nolan Arenado 4-for-5 (.800), 1 HR
Michael McKenry 2-for-3 (.666), 1 2B
Justin Morneau 15-for-47 (.319), 4 HR, 6 2B
Career against Kendrick:
Justin Upton 8-for-23 (.348), 2 HR, 1 2B
Matt Kemp 6-for-15 (.400)
Kendrick in previous outing:
Sucked. Next question.
Fantastic write-up. Wasn’t tuned in today (kid stuff) and so missed the Rosario move. I agree, three catchers and a guy who you didn’t want playing 1st was an issue. I expected the move though to be bringing up Parker. We talked last night if it is time to see if they can sneak Stubbs through the waiver list because he cannot play right now (the bat is that bad, defense still solid). The bench simply isn’t very good. But… Read more »
Saw a Tweet suggesting it should have been Stubbs instead of Rosario, but Rosario has an option left. Waving Stubbs = eating big chunk of contract, $5.8M. Stubbs also depends on Dickerson situation. Has anyone seen Stubbs in BP? I know those are BP fastballs, but sometimes you can tell if he’s close or nowhere near.
They found a way to blame Wilin!! He was only hitting .357 with a 1.143 OPS and zero passed balls (I know, he hadn’t caught). Weird thing to do if you want to trade him, unless … you want to keep him down long enough to make him free agency eligible in 2019 rather than 2018. They did this with Dexter Fowler. As far as the idea of putting Stubbs on waivers: no risk, since no one would claim him,… Read more »
And there goes your lead
and the reason the reactivated/fresh Axford isn’t pitching the 7th instead of Kendrick losing your lead?
I give up. Walt is in over his head. Axford and I assume Friedrich for a hitter or two are good to go, and certainly Ottavino is, and Walt sticks with Kendrick the 3rd/4th time through when everyone watching can see the Padres have him measured up. Losers.
Talking to myself, I hope someone reads it tomorrow: Kendrick + Stubbs + (what the hell) Wilin (he’s in the minors so he ain’t helping) + Logan = $20 million in salary this year. Don’t tell me you’re broke and spend like some kind of QVC addict on crap like that.
Uh oh Ag……I thought I was the only RWOer that had the “talk to yourself” affliction.
You want in on my scheme with Ed the Ump to go on Sharktank and try to con Cuban into buying 99% of our startup “buy the Rockies” company?
As I asked another person on Twitter: how’s the crow tonight?
DD – we’re going to stumble into 60 wins. I’ll (very happily) start eating crow after that threshold.
I’m in carp. I’ll even accept an other from the Queen of QVC lady.
LOL – I’ve been totally oblivious and uninterested in the whole reality TV trend the last few years, but for some reason I love Sharktank (just owning my vices) and especially Cuban. Sometimes they’ll team up and concoct some sort of combined deal. I mean let’s be real…….it will be a victory if we can con Cuban and QVC Queen into taking 100%. We’ll still be baseball urban legends.
That is so funny you guys are talking about this – one of my dreams for years has been for Cuban to buy the Rockies. I thought it would be classic to get on Shark Tank and ask him to do that…so funny you guys had the same idea…i really dig the guy (search for Cuban and you can find a post i did a while back about him possibly buying the Dodgers and you can see my thoughts on… Read more »
On a serious note, isn’t it nice having Arenado in the lineup. He’s our best player.
Worth the price of admission! Walk off! One game in person, one walk off, sweet. Dickerson hit 2 HRs to the same spot.
Kendrick went 7 on less than 90 pitches.