Colorado vs AZ

[FromWayDowntown]

They didn't face a goddamn hill all season, let alone down the stretch.

You mean other than being in 4th place in their own division and 5 full games behind San Diego for the wild card on September 17? Or other than being 2 full games behind both San Diego and New York with 2 days remaining in the regular season?

They've been fortunate, to be sure, and haven't faced the sorts of injury problems that the D'Backs have encountered, but it seems a bit off (to me, at least) to say that the Rockies haven't been something of a little engine that could since about mid-September.

[JMarkJohns]

Yes, but with the injuries, it was less of a hill than just a mere incline. Yes, Colorado won out, but the Padres, without two fo their top-three bats and a lessened rotation, really came back to them.

Again, I love the Rockies story. They are great fun, but they had it just a wee bit easier than did other teams who truly sucked things up and just won.

However, I can see that my post diminishes the Rockies, which was not the intent. It's intent was to correct the notion of the them being "Rocky" rather than the Rockies.

[BeerIsGood!]

You mean other than being in 4th place and 5 full games behind San Diego on September 17?

That's what I was thinking. They had a horrible start to the season and dug themselves out of a huge hole to even get in the playoffs. Sure they remained relatively healthy, but a lot of that is because they are a very young team. I'm sorry, but if you have Randy Johnson as your starter in 2007 you are just asking for a season ending injury.

[BeerIsGood!]

Yes, but with the injuries, it was less of a hill than just a mere incline. Yes, Colorado won out, but the Padres, without two fo their top-three bats and a lessened rotation, really came back to them.

Again, I love the Rockies story. They are great fun, but they had it just a wee bit easier than did other teams who truly sucked things up and just won.

However, I can see that my post diminishes the Rockies, which was not the intent. It's intent was to correct the notion of the them being "Rocky" rather than the Rockies.

I don't think they had it easier than anyone else. Who else had a harder road? The Phillies? They made it because their division leader completely imploded under the pressure.

Injuries are part of the game, and older players will be more vulnerable than younger players. Also, regarding SD - if you lay your chips down with Milton Bradley you have to figure there's a big chance he'll implode mentally. As it was SD got the chance to go head to head with the Rockies and get to the PO, but they couldn't seal the deal.

[JMarkJohns]

That's what I was thinking. They had a horrible start to the season and dug themselves out of a huge hole to even get in the playoffs. Sure they remained relatively healthy, but a lot of that is because they are a very young team. I'm sorry, but if you have Randy Johnson as your starter in 2007 you are just asking for a season ending injury.

And the Diamondbacks had a terrible middle part of the year, going from first to third in a matter of a week, and falling behind by as many as five games as late as August.

Every team has a bad stretch. Colorado was lucky there's was early. Much easier to overcome. See New York, Cleveland, Chicago and Philadelphia this very same year.

How many teams made the playoffs this year after losing its #2 starter, and two infielders, one a near-All-Star in 2006, and the other an All-Star in 2007, all for vast majority of the stretch run?

I can think of the Angels, and they were promtly swept after losing Colon and Matthews. Teams facing similar all faded, see Detroit, New York Mets, San Diego, Brewers...

[JMarkJohns]

OK, i'm leaving my posts up because I entered them in haste and should take the flak for putting out an opinion that didn't mesh with my intent.

Colorado is a very, very good team and one worth rooting for. They have played great down the stretch and it is in no way my intent to deminish anything they've accomplished.

All I'll say is that they didn't overcome near as much as some make it out. Having sustained health at the perfect time of year, they took full advantage of teams going through the same pressure, plus issues like key - if not devestating - injuries. They are to be acclaimed for taking full advantage of these teams, making the most of the opportunities presented them, but in no way is it harder to win games when healthy than when scrambling, trying to plug holes last minute under the pressure of a division race. They had immense luck, and capitalized. Other teams, like the Diamondbacks suffered terrible injuries that could have easily ended their season, yet they overcame, sucked it up and won crucial games on the road to clinch a playoff birth, and its playoff series.

It's not to take anything away from the Rockies that I say this. It's to put things into proper perspective, and to bring some opinions of the Rockies "miracle" back down to earth.

[BeerIsGood!]

And the Diamondbacks had a terrible middle part of the year, going from first to third in a matter of a week, and falling behind by as many as five games as late as August.

Every team has a bad stretch. Colorado was lucky there's was early. Much easier to overcome. See New York, Cleveland, Chicago and Philadelphia this very same year.

How many teams made the playoffs this year after losing its #2 starter, and two infielders, one a near-All-Star in 2006, and the other an All-Star in 2007, all for vast majority of the stretch run?

I can think of the Angels, and they were promtly swept after losing Colon and Matthews. Teams facing similar all faded, see Detroit, New York Mets, San Diego, Brewers...

The Diamondbacks had a very impressive year for sure. They were the more consistent team throughout the season and they put themselves in a good position to win the division and not have to run out to get in the PO. It's going to be a good series between two good teams with great chemistry, and the better team will move on to the WS.

[FromWayDowntown]

To be sure, if someone put a gun to my head and made me make a prediction, I'd take the D'Backs, probably in 6.

Colorado plays exceptional defense and has a pretty good balance offensively, but I think the D'Backs staff is probably better and I generally favor teams that pitch well and can manufacture runs over teams that play great defense but rely on big bats to produce offense. That's an oversimplification of what the series presents -- Colorado can manufacture some runs and Arizona plays can certainly play big ball at times -- but I think the general form holds.

The D'Backs can (and should) put a lot of pressure on Torrealba and the rest of the Rockies' defense by moving runners frequently. I think the Rockies are going to have to play for runs when they can get them, too -- this isn't the Phillies pitching staff and the D'Backs showed the Cubs the difficulty with trying to play for the big inning.

[JMarkJohns]

The Diamondbacks had a very impressive year for sure. They were the more consistent team throughout the season and they put themselves in a good position to win the division and not have to run out to get in the PO. It's going to be a good series between two good teams with great chemistry, and the better team will move on to the WS.

Agreed. I'm scared to death of these Rockies. They are very, very good, and what's worse, is they know it. They are like that computer system in the Terminator films. Once they became self aware, they just started destroying people.

[JMarkJohns]

To be sure, if someone put a gun to my head and made me make a prediction, I'd take the D'Backs, probably in 6.

Colorado plays exceptional defense and has a pretty good balance offensively, but I think the D'Backs staff is probably better and I generally favor teams that pitch well and can manufacture runs over teams that play great defense but rely on big bats to produce offense. That's an oversimplification of what the series presents -- Colorado can manufacture some runs and Arizona plays can certainly play big ball at times -- but I think the general form holds.

The D'Backs can (and should) put a lot of pressure on Torrealba and the rest of the Rockies' defense by moving runners frequently. I think the Rockies are going to have to play for runs when they can get them, too -- this isn't the Phillies pitching staff and the D'Backs showed the Cubs the difficulty with trying to play for the big inning.

Great take. I really don't think one can have a "real" opinion on this series. The teams are far too even. Every came could be close, and even if the series ends earlier than seven, it'll probably be like a Spurs/Suns series where one or two plays either way determines a game, which could determine the series.

[FromWayDowntown]

I think one interesting decision is Hurdle's choice to match Francis against Webb. I can certainly see the point of having your best guy in Game 1 and pitting him against the other guy's best guy. But the difference between Francis and Webb strikes me as fairly substantial. If I was Hurdle, I think I'd be inclined to throw my third or fourth guy in Game 1 and save Francis for Game 3 and, if necessary, Game 7 on relatively regular rest. It would be an unconventional move -- to say the least; it probably speaks volumes to why I'm not a major league manager. I can see that starting your ace against another team's ace gives you a chance to win if the other team's ace slips up just a little bit; but if the ace is great and your guy is just slightly not as good, you've essentially wasted your best arm in a game that you were going to struggle to win even under the best of cir stances.

[tsb2000]

I'm calling it. The Rockies' bubble is bursting Thursday at the Chase.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

My pick and NLCS wish: Seven games.

[Whisky Dog]

Rockies will win.

[JMarkJohns]

I think one interesting decision is Hurdle's choice to match Francis against Webb. I can certainly see the point of having your best guy in Game 1 and pitting him against the other guy's best guy. But the difference between Francis and Webb strikes me as fairly substantial. If I was Hurdle, I think I'd be inclined to throw my third or fourth guy in Game 1 and save Francis for Game 3 and, if necessary, Game 7 on relatively regular rest. It would be an unconventional move -- to say the least; it probably speaks volumes to why I'm not a major league manager. I can see that starting your ace against another team's ace gives you a chance to win if the other team's ace slips up just a little bit; but if the ace is great and your guy is just slightly not as good, you've essentially wasted your best arm in a game that you were going to struggle to win even under the best of cir stances.

I think it's calculated genius. If Francis, who's a lefty vs. the predominantly righty lineup of Arizona, can pull a Zambrano and match Webb inning for inning, or even pull out the better start, then he can really take the wind out of Arizona's sails. Arizona is banking on great starts from Webb and quality starts from everyone else. If the Rockies can come in to Arizona and defeat Webb in game one, then they'll cut the legs off of Arizona's grand plan.

It's a risk, but in my opinion, the reward is greater than the risk as noone can guess what kind of starts Arizona will get from Davis, Hernandez and Owings. We can guess, but we have no idea.

[JMarkJohns]

Webb CLEARLY does not have his best stuff. he's falling behind to every batter since the first inning. He'll be lucky to last six. He's already given up two runs.

[resistanze]

Better get Webb outta there

[JMarkJohns]

Better get Webb outta there

Can't. He's their horse. You've got to ride him until at least the fifth. See if he can right the ship, eat some innings and allow you offense to make up some ground. Francis hasn't been "on" either, thus far.

Still, it's going to be a long night. Webb just isn't Webb vs. the Rockies.

[Xylus]

Strangely, Webb has struggled mightily against this season's Rockies club, while Doug Davis and Livan Hernandez have fared pretty well, I believe. I don't have the stats on me, unfortunately.

I doubt Webb gives up another run in the next few innings. We just have to hope our offense can get the better of Francis.

[Xylus]

Awesome retaliation there, guys. Francis must be worn out.

[resistanze]

Unfortunately, that inning was too quick I think. Let's see if Webb can come back strong.

[Xylus]

in' A. We look like the Cubs out there.

[Slinkyman]

in' A. We look like the Cubs out there.

look more like the Suns during a 7 game series with the Spurs.

[resistanze]

WTH are they doing?

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Apparently, this game is being played in Detroit.