Short Version of Rockies Report

Sorry all of you Rockies fans. My performance has been quite lacking and for that I apoligize. Here is a short report, but you can be sure that I will write another by the end of the week. I could list the reasons why it is late, but you don't want to hear it, and there is absolutely no excuse for my lack of activity. With that over...

As the season progresses, the Rockies are still trying to keep pace with the red-hot Giants while also striving to distance themselves from the rest of the NL West. Jose Hernandez and Preston Wilson have stepped in and stepped up to lead the Rocks along with the steady numbers of perennial superstars: Larry Walker and Todd Helton.
The downfall so far for the Rockies has been starting pitching, which is by no means a surprise. Despite great starts by youngsters Shawn Chacon (4-0, 1.04 ERA), and Nelson Cruz (4-1, 4.61 ERA), the rest of the staff has been very weak. Jason Jennings (1-3, 7.92 ERA), a preseason favorite to win 15 or more games, has been anything but an ace for the Rockies. He has given up 38 hits, while squandering 27 runs in only 25 innings of work. Darren Oliver (1-2, 5.81 ERA) and Aaron Cook (1-2, 5.79 ERA) haven’t faired much better. The three have combined for 7 of the Rockies 11 losses.

A CLOSING CATASTROPHE

Jose Jimenez has been anything but consistent this year. His 6 saves are 5th among closers in the Major Leagues, but his ERA and number of hits are nothing spectacular. In only 12 1/3 innings, he has given up a whopping 27 hits, 7 walks, and 11 runs, all earned (8.03 ERA). His inability to get hitters out is nothing new. Last year, he gave up 76 hits in 73 innings, and his record was 2-10. He did, however, save 41 ball games. With the way his season is going, he could be the best marketing item the Rockies have as no fan can leave the game no matter what the score when Jose comes into the game. Manager Clint Hurdle was, at the beginning of the season, bringing Jimenez into games in non-closing situations, but that has stopped. He is still a candidate for 30 saves, but he will need to turn this season around if he is going to reach that plateau. He hasn’t established himself among the elite closers in the league.

STYNES SIGNIFICANT TO ROCKIES START

The Rockies knew they were weak at third base this past off-season. They had Greg Norton, who is always injured and never produces much when he is not, but they needed an upgrade. With a lack of talent in the free agent market, the Rockies settled with Chris Stynes. Much to their surprise, Stynes scalded the baseball in spring training and that success carried over into the regular season. Despite a recent tail off in numbers, the Rockies are very pleased with the output of Stynes. At one point in the season, he led the league in runs and average. He has scored 17 runs and has 22 hits in 26 games. Norton who was favored to start at third, is batting .139 with 9 strikeouts.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE...

2 with Chicago
Offday
3 with Atlanta
3 with Florida
3 with NY Mets

SERIES OUTLOOK SO FAR...

Houston 0-2
Arizona 3-0
St. Louis 2-1
San Diego 1-2
Arizona 2-2
San Diego 3-0
Philadelphia 0-3
Chicago 2-1
Cincinatti 1-2
Chicago 0-1 (series still has 2 games remaining)

Any questions?
Just ask, I should have the answer.

-Patrick