Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Rock Solid Recap: Future Ace & MVP Carry The Night

Jhoulys Chacin took another step towards superstardom with what should have been six innings of shutout baseball against one of the NL's top offenses. The only thing standing in the way of shutout baseball was a brain cramp by Melvin Mora that extended Cincinnati's 4th inning.

Oh well... a win is a win is a win!


Chacin's stuff is for real.

You know what else is for real? His courage. I love that he has absolutely no fear of attacking hitters like Ryan Howard and Joey Votto. None. Take your best shot at me because I'm taking my best shot at you.

That's not always the smartest approach for a pitcher against hitters of their elite status, but when your stuff can back up your guts, you have a combination that is tough to beat. I love this kid.

Carlos Gonzalez now leads the league in two of the triple crown categories (BA & RBI) after hitting a 3-run first inning homer.

You know, I don't really care what his numbers look like on the road (though they have been MUCH better lately), I just know that without Carlos Gonzalez, the Rockies wouldn't have a heartbeat right now. He is the heartbeat, and his overall numbers are putting him in a position to make baseball history.

If the MVP vote were today, I honestly don't know how you give it to anyone else. Offensive numbers aside, he's also a candidate for 30 steals and plays some of the best outfield in all of baseball. No one can match his value right now. At least not in the NL.

Honorable Mentions: Eric Young (2 hits), Dexter Fowler (2 hits), Miguel Olivo (3 hits), Matt Belisle (Hold), Rafael Betancourt (Hold) & Huston Street (Save).

Congratulations: To Trevor Hoffman on his 600th career save. What an amazing feat by kid that was drafted as a shortstop. Think about that.  And then think about how lucky we are that this wasn't 601.

Welcome Back: Paul Phillips and Jay Payton.

Two veterans that have done all that was asked of them in AAA. They have handled themselves like professionals and they definitely deserve the honor.

It's a shame Taylor Buchholz was DFAed to make room for Phillips though. I'm not sure I understand the thinking behind why Buchholz was the one to go. Perhaps it'll be explained soon.

Tomorrow

Aaron Cook vs Bronson Arroyo

Cook shut the Reds out for 7 innings back in July. Earlier in that same series Arroyo threw seven innings of two run baseball.

I gotta be honest folks... I don't see either of them fairing nearly that well on Wednesday night. I hope I'm wrong about Cook, but I think we're in for a long game.

Lineup Card: Rockies vs Reds

You know how you can tell when a rotation is rounding into form?  When any one of four guys can go to the mound and you feel great about your team's chances of winning.  

The Rockies have their four -- Ubaldo, Hammel, De La Rosa, and now they have added Jhoulys Chacin.  

Who knows... maybe Aaron Cook has found his confidence (and "health") and can serve as a really really good 5th starter.  

Rockies Lineup (73-64)
  1. 2B  Young
  2. CF  Fowler
  3. LF  Gonzalez
  4. SS  Tulowitzki
  5. 1B  Helton
  6. 3B  Mora
  7. RF  Smith
  8. C    Olivo
  9. P    Chacin
Apparently Chacin is more "comfortable" with Miguel Olivo, too.  

Reds Lineup (79-58)
  1. 2B  Phillips
  2. SS  Cabrera
  3. 1B  Votto
  4. 3B  Rolen
  5. LF  Gomes
  6. C    Hernandez
  7. CF  Stubbs
  8. RF  Heisey
  9. P    Cueto
Reds get a couple regulars back in there in Orlando Cabrera and Scott Rolen.  The recently red hot Jay Bruce remains out with a rib injury.  We know all about those with Brad Hawpe and Dexter Fowler.    Wish Jay the best... starting Friday.  

Thanks to Mark Sheldon for providing the Reds lineup.