Rockies after 81?
Given all the preseason hype around the Colorado Rockies — during the week before the season started it seemed everyone was jumping on the bandwagon faster than they have since jumped off — it’s not unreasonable to have expected this Rockies team to be in a better position than it currently is.
But a little perspective: only two Rockies teams in franchise history have been in a better position at the halfway point in the season. After Saturday’s loss to the Giants — the 81st game this season — the Rockies stood at 43-38 (after Sunday’s win they are 44-38 through 82). The 2000 Rockies were 45-36 at the same point. The 1995 Rockies were 46-35. Only four other Rockies teams have been above .500 after 81 games: 2009 (42-39), 2006 (42-39) and 2003 (41-40), 1997 (42-39).
More perspective — these players have spent time on the disabled list: Jeff Francis, Jorge De La Rosa, Jason Hammel, Huston Street, Franklin Morales, Brad Hawpe, Troy Tulowitzki, Eric Young Jr. and Matt Daley. In addition, these players have spent significant time out of the lineup with injuries or illness: Rafael Betancourt, Carlos Gonzalez and Todd Helton.
So, after 81 games were the Rockies a disappointment or in a surprisingly strong position? What do you think?
Have to say they’re in a strong position. I can’t consider them a disappointment at all with the all the injuries.
The expectations have been high to start the season, but at 14-8 over last 22 if they can continue roughly same pace next 80 games and they are sitting at 95 wins for the year and they are right at the top of the NL west. Much easier said than done, but doable with all of the injuries and the adversity that they have weathered so far. Lot of character has been built and tested. Some tough decisions with the corner starters to start the year, but if they can produce above the first half then they don’t need to make any big trades, perhaps an August waiver wire deal for more bench depth in September, but all in all they have the pieces as injured Rockies return.
Disappointed to be on pace to win 86 games. Disappointed with Helton/Hawpe/Stewart offensive production (or lack there of). Disappointed with Hamel’s early struggle (we are now seeing what he can do) and disappointed with Morales/Corpas. Disappointed that Fowler had to be sent down (looked great over the weekend, however). Disappointed that EY2 looked like such a defensive liability in his opportunity.
Surprised to be on pace for 86 wins despite all those disappointments, and the injuries. Surprised by Tulo’s good April. Surprised by Olivo. Thrilled with Ubaldo (of course). Surprised by Chacin, Belisle.
Maybe expectations were too high. Then again, get back DLR and Buckholtz, stay within striking distance, get back Tulo in August and go on a run. If Barmes stays hot and we can get ANYTHING out of Helton/Hawpe in the second half, I can still see this team making a run at their first ever NL West pennant.
By the way, when is Hawpe going to play 1B? Is that not the logical move? His bat is an upgrade over Helton right now, and Cargo/Fowler/Spilborghs is easily our best outfield.
Disappointed in Helton, Ianetta, Hawpe, Morales, Corpas, and Cooke. With the exception of Ianetta these guys are veterans and ought to be playing a lot better baseball. Olivio, Hererra, and Chacin have all been playing great baseball and keeping the Rox in the hunt. I think if Tracy can teach Mora how to keep his foot on first he should get the start there when Tulo comes back and move Hererra to third. Overall I am neither surprised nor disappointed in the Rockies this year. Given the injuries and the uninspiring play from some of the vets they are right about where you’d expect. I’m getting used to the procrastination from this team, until they absolutely have to win they just hover around 3rd place.
Disappointed with our heart of the order and some other veterans. Surprised that some unexpected bats (Herrera, Barmes, Fowler, Olivo) are carrying the team. Unsurprised by Ubaldo and Cargo and Smith and Spilly. Disappointed by Tracy’s weird defensive alignments.
Overall I am disappointed but feel lucky because the team is in a very strong position. I still think SD will fade – there is plenty of time for them to unravel – and I have seen it happen a million times growing up a Cubs fan. I’m not impressed with LA this year either, even though they always seem to have our number. SF will stay in the race, but their 2009 offense has returned.
Disappointed over all. I had higher expectations. Injuries are part of the game, and it happens to every team to some extent, so I don’t like that excuse.
I’m disappointed in Hawpe, and Stewart and Helton, and Morales and Corpas, and Cook (who maybe turning it around)
There are plenty of bright spots, but given where I thought this team would be at, fighting to stay above .500 and in third place and a ways off the pace, isn’t what I expected.
This team should be at a lot better position on paper, even with all the injuries.
On the flip side, looking at the stats many of our supposed “top” players its remarkable that we are in a position to strike at all.
This season has been so interesting in the lack of a significant streak eitherway. I don’t think we’ve won or lost more than 5 in a row.
If guys like Stewart, Hawpe, Helton, Cook and Francis play like they are capable of and guys like Olivo, Ubaldo, CarGo and Herrera keep playing the way they have been then this team could well win 70% of the remaining games and we become a 100 win team for the first time.
Guess I’m in the surprised at where they are position-wise. Not sure it’s “strong” one, but to be within reach of the division and a breath of the Wild Card at this point given the ups and down so far I’m encouraged. Of course we’d all love for this to be the first season where the Rockies comfortably take command of the division and cruise through the season, as it seemed they just might do according to all the preseason predictions, but that’s not the way Denver/Colorado teams roll! lol
I’m disappointed in the Rockies ability to play small ball for the beginning part of the season. It cost them many games, and they did not look like a good ball club.
I’m also very disappointed in the shoddy defense we saw for the first quarter/third of the season. It seems they have their moments but this is a team that prides itself on defense.
I’m happy about the position we are in. Tulo is on the DL and it seems that this is what has woken this club up. We are scoring runs late, and we are in a solid position to win the division like we all hoped at the beginning of the season.
We’ve successfully worked our way through bullpen difficulties and it appears as though we will start the second half with a bullpen that is as solid as we hoped it would be on day one. And most of all, they are healthy.
I’m sad for Helton. It really seems as though this may be the end of his career offensively. He has played such a big part in this organization, and he is one of my favorite Rockies ever.
Wow fellows, 3 games out of 1st if SD loses tonight.(And if I’m SD the place I want to be this weekend is Denver) You guys busting out with confidence. Does it really matter who does what and when as long as it gets done. Its how you finish, thats all that counts. And don’t care if Helton gets another hit, it is his presence around these guys and in the clubhouse that matters.
Whoops sorry the “LAST”