Jul 27 2016 05:23 PM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 28 2016 05:17 PM
It’s Mike Piazza’s world. The Rockies just live in it.
When last we saw the Rockies, they were treading water just below the .500 mark and were in the mix in the NL West. So of course they swept the Metsies just to be annoying. Some things have changed since then and some haven’t . They’re still treading water, but the Dodgers and Giants have pulled away. There’ll be no postseason in Colorado this year. In fact, being sellers, there may be a few faces missing by the end of this weekend’s games.
They have the good fortune of visiting while the Mets honor Mike Piazza, and wouldn’t his bat look great in this lineup. I mean NOW, even at age 46. But no, Mike’s appearances will be limited to pre-game ceremonies and probably an inning in the booth with Gary, Keith and Ron.
But I digress. The Rockies are an ‘eh’ team. Sometimes they hit. Sometimes they pitch. They don’t do the two of these together often enough, hence the 48-52 record.
Game the 1st: an odd 1:10 start to the series. Tyler Anderson (3-3, 3.56) vs deGrom (6-5, 2.73)
Jacob looked like crap the last time out, after pitching a complete-game shutout. Hopefully he rebounds.
Anderson’s a rookie who’s won his last three decisions, but hasn’t been exactly scintillating, although he’s given the at least 6 innings each time. Doesn’t throw especially hard and relies on control and keeping the ball down rather than the strikeout.
Game the 2nd: Tyler Chatwood (9-6, 3.65) against Matz (8-6, 3.36)
And it’s back to back Tylers. Chatwood’s been erratic lately, getting hammered by Tampa Bay before pitching 5 innings against Atlanta where he gave up only 1 hit. Oh, but he also gave up 8 walks and struck out 6. So who knows what you’re gonna get.
Matz was sharp against the Fish on Sunday, giving their bats bone spurs.
Game the 3rd: Jorge De La Rosa (6-7, 5.70) vs Big Sexy (9-5, 3.35)on 3 days rest
Bartolo was pretty good and pretty efficient against the Cards on Tuesday. He was pulled after 7 innings and 85 pitches so he could pitch this game on short rest. I will be at this game, and Mike's getting his number retired, so I demand a win.
De La Rosa is De La Stinky. He’s wildly inconsistent this year, which means he’ll probably be great against the Mets. Throws a splitter and keeps the ball down, always a good trait for a Colorado pitcher.
Game the 4th: Chad Bettis (9-6, 5.19) vs Syndergaard (9-5, 2.45)
Noah struggled through 6 innings in a loss against the Cards on Tuesday.
Bettis is a low 90’s fastball pitcher, but not a big strikeout guy and walks a bit too many. But he pitched well in a win over Baltimore on Tuesday, giving up 2 runs in 6 innings.
Catching is shared by Nick Hundley, the vet, and Tony Wolters, the rookie. Neither one has much power, neither hits for average, and neither is related to anybody even the slightest bit famous. They can walk through the ocean of most souls and scarcely get their feet wet. They’re ciphers.
First base is manned by Mark Reynolds (10/42/.275). In May, he was hitting for a high average but no power, the exact opposite of his career track. Since then, he’s been the definition of ‘regression to the mean’, with his average falling but the homers starting to come. Has been known to make Citifield look small.
Second base belongs to DJ LeMahieu (6/34/.325) Spunky little player. Like Lou Grant, I hate spunk.
Shortstop is The Next Big Thing, Trevor Story (27/69/.272). Rockies fans are forgetting about Troy Tulowhatzisname already. One of the faves for ROY.
Third Base is Nolan Arenado (26/78/.289). Imagine prime-career David Wright in a Rockies uni, with better fielding. But our Wright got the supermodel wife, so he wins.
Left Field: Ryan Raburn (8/25/.220) is keeping it warm, and Gerardo Parra is injured, so the Rockies intend to play David Dahl, the first round pick from 2012 who was OPSing .963 in the minors this year. Kid has a gun for an arm, so he’ll probably move to right eventually, just like every OF with a good arm not named Yoenis Cespedes.
Center Field: Charlie Blackmon (12/44/.300) Speedy and will probably steal us blind all weekend.
Right Field: Carlos Gonzales (20/62/.317). Doing what he does every year, and surprisingly still doing it in Colorado. But maybe not by the end of the weekend.
Bullpen: Closer Carlos Estevez (8 saves, 4.08 ERA) Let’s just say he’s no Jeurys Familia. They’ve cycled through Chad Qualls, Jason Motte, Boone Logan, and other marginal types. It’s Colorado; often the closer is irrelevant anyway. Rest of the bullpen is flotsam and jetsam.
Former Mets who wear the purple: Gonzalez Germen (not nubuddy)
Former Rox who are Mets: Jose Reyes….and therein lies a tale for another day.
Apologies for posting this a little early but I have to give a speech in Philadelphia tonight and tomorrow's a gay dame......
