Monday, May 31, 2010

Rock Solid Recap: He's Real, And He's Spectacular

If you weren't sure, that's only because you hadn't seen him pitch yet.

Now that you have, you're sure.

Rockies 4, Giants 0

Winning Player: Ubaldo Jimenez

I don't know what I can tell you that isn't already obvious.

I could rattle off the amazing numbers, but you've already seen those a 100 times.

I could tell you he throws hard, his ball moves, and he gets stronger as the game moves along. I think you can all see that for yourself

I'll just settle for telling you it's a special thing we're witnessing. A special thing that not only Rockies fans are invested in, but after today, baseball fans from all over the world will be invested Ubaldo Jimenez.

Lineup Card: Ubaldo vs. Lincecum

On this Memorial Day, we cannot thank those who have served and sacrificed for our country enough.

Thank you for fighting for us.

Thank you for giving us the freedom to travel and spend time with our loved ones.

Thank you for giving baseball nerds like myself the opportunity to sit here and write about the game I've grown up loving, and for giving all of us the freedom to sit back and watch two of the most talented pitchers in our lifetime pitch in one of the most beautiful ballparks in the world.

Rockies Lineup (26-24)

  • CF Gonzalez
  • LF Smith
  • 1B Helton
  • SS Tulowitzki
  • RF Hawpe
  • C   Olivo
  • 3B Stewart
  • 2B Barmes
  • P   Jimenez
Giants Lineup (27-22)
  • LF Torres
  • 2B Sanchez
  • 3B Sandoval
  • RF Huff
  • SS Uribe
  • 1B Posey
  • C   Molina
  • CF Rowand
  • P   Lincecum

Fowler Demotion A Sound Decision

Troy Renck broke the news late last night.

Judging from the reaction I've heard and read everyone understands and is on board with this decision. I'm on board with all of you.  It makes nothing but sense and is, in fact, a bit overdue.

Fowler needs that extra bit of seasoning he missed out on by coming straight from AA in 2009.  He was able to get by on raw ability for most of his solid rookie season, but we all know how scouting works in MLB.  They found the hole in Fowler's left-handed swing.  He hasn't adjusted.  His numbers are down and his confidence is down with it.

Some are suggesting Fowler scrap switch-hitting altogether.  I wouldn't be opposed to that.  There's no doubt his right-handed swing is ML ready (His defense and speed also already measure up to that of a quality big leaguer), so all he'd need at AAA are a few right-handed ABs against some right-handed pitchers.