Colorado Rockies-Milwaukee Brewers Tid Bits
Colorado Rockies vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Aug. 13-15, 2010 at Coors Field
Winning Feeling
Rockies lead all-time series 49-41. It’s second best record for Rockies against an NL opponent, and one of five NL teams against which Rockies have an all-time winning record.
Rockies top five winning percentages against NL teams
Team W-L Pct.
Wash/Mont 85-59 .590
Milwaukee 49-41 .544
San Diego 145-134 .520
St. Louis 79-74 .516
Pittsburgh 78-74 .513
Home Sweet Home
Rockies are 31-14 all-time against Milwaukee in Denver, the Rockies most success against any team in Colorado.
Team W-L Pct.
Milwaukee 31-14 .689
NY Mets 44-27 .620
Washington 44-27 .620
Florida 47-29 .618
Houston 43-27 .614
Rockies have swept six series from Brewers in Colorado. Brewers swept one series from the Rockies in Colorado, which was in 2004.
This year
Rockies opened the season at Milwaukee and lost 2 of 3. Only win was Opening Day with Ubaldo on the mound. Ubaldo will go for the club-record 18th win of the season against Milwaukee on Sunday.
Rockies won 2 of 3 from Milwaukee at Coors field in June. Yovanni Gallardo, who starts Friday and is 11-5 for the season, lost a game in both series. He is 0-4 lifetime against the Rockies.
Rockies play three series against Milwaukee to make up for the fact they have only five inter-league series — three on the road this year and two at home. Most teams play six inter-league series.
To Save or Not to Save
All-time save leader Trevor Hoffman gave way to John Axford in the closer role back in May. Hoffman had failed in five of his first 10 save opportunities. He, however, did get a save on Saturday, the 597th of his career and first since May 18. Manager Ken Macha said he will work Hoffman into some more save situations in the final weeks of the season, obviously a way to try and get Hoffman the magical No. 600.
Hoffman has a 2.57ERA in his last 21 innings, giving up six runs, and three of those came in the 10th inning of a 7-4 loss to Arizona on Monday. Axford gave up a run in the ninth of that game for a blown save, his second in 19 opportunities.
Hoffman Continued
Hoffman registered his 1,000th career strikeout against Rockies Todd Helton on Sept. 8, 2007.
Hoffman’s third career save and the first for him with San Diego was when he worked 2 2/3 innings in a 6-3 win against the Rockies on Aug. 6, 1993.
Hoffman’s top four career save totals are against NL West team, which isn’t a surprise since he was with San Diego from mid-1993 through 2008. He has 68 saves against the Dodgers, 54 against the Rockies, 51 against the Giants and 46 against the Diamondbacks. Most against a non-NL West team is 40 against Pittsburgh.
He has a 5.67 ERA at Coors Field, second highest in a current NL park. He has a 7.20 ERA at Great America Park. It’s not like Mile High Stadium was any better for him. In two years Rockies were in that park he had a 6.75 ERA there.
Brewers of Late
Brewers lost three out of four at Miller Park to the Diamondbacks, leaving them with 10 losses in their last 15 games. They are 15-26 in day games, third worst NL record in day games. Pittsburgh is 11-21 and Arizona 10-23. Rockies have NL third-best record in day games, 24-18, behind San Diego, which is 23-15, and Atlanta, which is 22-15.
Some Kind of Hot
Brewers 3B Kevin McGhee set a club record with hits in nine consecutive at-bats. He doubled in his final moved to left field. Major League record for consecutive hits in 12 set by Pinky Higgins in 1938 and equaled by Walt Dropo in 1952.
Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez, meanwhile, leads NL outfielders in the Triple Crown categories, hitting .322 with 25 home runs and 77 RBI. Marlon Byrd of the Cubs is second in average at .310. Cory Hart of Milwaukee ranks second with 23 home runs and 75 RBI.
Stat Stuff
How the Rockies and Brewers statistically compare:
Rockies (NL rank) Stat Brewers (NL rank)
543 (4th) Runs 550 (2n d)
.266 (3rd) Average .262 (6th)
.339 (2nd) OBP .336 (5th)
.264 (5th) MISP .254 (11th)
4.14 (10th) ERA 4.98 (14th)
.255 (7th) Avg Ag .279 (15th))
368 (11th) Walks 421 (2nd)
4.28 (12th) Rotation ERA 4.86 (15th
3.88 (7th) Bullpen ERA 5.21 (16th
FYI
–Brewers 1B Prince Fielder has played 301 consecutive games, longest active streak in majors and longest in Brewers history. Robin Young had old streak of 274 games during the 1987-89 seasons.
–19 runs scored by Rockies against Milwaukee Aug. 8, 2007 is tied for fourth most in franchise history in a game. Rockies have scored 20 runs in a game three times.
–23 hits for Rockies in that game, tied for third most in franchised history, one shy of record.
–153 pitches thrown by Pedro Astacio against Milwaukee June 6, 1999, most ever for Rockies pitcher.
Roster Update
Ryan Braun returned to lineup on Thursday after missing three games with a wrist injury.
Nine players are on the Brewers roster today who weren’t’ there on opening day. RHPs John Axford, Kameron Loe, Mike McClendon and Dave Riske, LHP Chris Capuano, C Jonathan Lucroy, and OFs Lorenzo Cain and Chris Dickerson.
Dickerson was acquired Monday from Cincinnati for OF Jim Edmonds.
McClendon was called up when LaTroy Hawkins went on the disabled list with renewed shoulder weakness. Hawkins also was out with the same problem from May 9 through July 29. He was unscored upon in four of five appearances after being activated, but velocity was a concern. McClendon opened the season at Double-A Huntsville and had a 0.61 ERA in seven games, earning a promotion to Triple-A Nashville, where he was 4-3 with two saves and a 2.44 ERA in 25 games, three starts.
Injury Report
(from mlb.com)
| Brewers | Date | Status | Due Back | Injury | Notes | |
| Braun, Ryan (LF) | 08/09 | Day-to-day | TBD | Left wrist injury | Sent to see off-site orthopedic specialist Aug. 9. | |
| Davis, Doug (P) | 08/06 | 15-day DL | TBD | Left elbow tendinitis | Inflammation yet to subside in elbow. | |
| Dickerson, Chris (LF) | 08/06 | 60-day DL | Early August | Broken hook on hamate bone | Recalled from rehab assignment Aug. 5. | |
| Gerut, Jody (CF) | 07/03 | 15-day DL | TBD | Bruised left heel | Not making much progress. | |
| Gomez, Carlos (CF) | 08/11 | 15-day DL | Possibly August 20 | Hit in head by pitch | Will begin Minors rehab assignment August 13. | |
| Hart, Corey (RF) | 08/09 | Day-to-day | TBD | Stiff lower back | Did some running drills Aug. 9. | |
| Hawkins, LaTroy (P) | 08/12 | 15-day DL | TBD | Right shoulder weakness | Placed on DL Aug. 12. | |
| Wolf, Randy (P) | 08/02 | Day-to-day | TBD | Left hand contusion | Expects to make next start Aug. 7. | |
| Zaun, Gregg (C) | 08/12 | 60-day DL | Possibly Spring ’11 | Torn labrum in right shoulder | Underwent season-ending surgery June 15. | |
Mike Raysfan asked if this series would be the seies to determine if we are still in it.
Even if we swept this series, there would still be serious questions about whether they could carry the momentum.
They won’t be able to carry the momentum because they still have road games scheduled.
This may seem like an odd thought, but the Rockies have many head-to-head games left against the Pads(6), Giants(6) and Dodgers(12)…they may actually stand a better chance, with help and good play against, of running that down than the Wild Card because they don’t play the teams ahead of us anymore that much. Hardy har har I know! lol
In regards to the Rox strike out “problem” – position players through August 12th – 799 K’s in 3,590 at bats = 1 every 4.5 at bats or 22.26 % of the time the everyday line up is not putting the ball in play.
The Rockies rank 3rd in National League in total team K’s, behind Arizona and Florida. Somewhat surprising to see that the Astros lead the league for fewest # of K’s.
For what it’s worth here are the individual breakdowns for the Rox:
Mora – 25K’s in 250 AB 12.5%
Herrera – 26K’s in 162 AB 16.01%
Barmes – 57K’s in 347 AB 16.4%
Spilly – 60K’s in 236 AB 16.7%
Smith – 44K’s in 262 AB 16.8%
Tulo – 50K’s in 295 AB 17.0%
Helton – 58K’s in 271 AB 21.4%
Giambi – 31K’s in 132 AB 23.5%
Cargo – 102K’s in 425 AB 24.0%
Fowler – 69K’s in 265 AB 26.0%
Hawpe – 66K’s in 253 AB 26.1%
Iannetta – 33K’s in 123 AB 26.8%
Stewart – 92K’s in 332 AB 27.7 %
Olivo – 86K’s in 287 AB 29.97%
“Mike Raysfan asked if this series would be the seies to determine if we are still in it.”
I asked if Mr. Ringolsby could maybe recap the post game. I don’t necessarily rely on national talking head spin. The writers here are WAY more knowledgeable.
It was the DP and, I believe, Troy Renck, that believes this could be it for the Rockies.
If you look at my 1st post yesterday, you will see I give them 2 weeks from yesterday. To me, the Rockies this season continue to be a team of history. That being said, why would I expect them to get past the Dodgers based on what history has shown. Performances in Miami, Phillie, and now New York have done nothing to convince me otherwise.
“Even if we swept this series, there would still be serious questions about whether they could carry the momentum.”
ProgMatinee, I couldn’t agree with you more. It may even be slightly understated.
Helton’s strikeout figures are shocking. And I’d say Barmes’ are the other way. I guess he makes a lot of bad contact.
I agree, historically speaking this year for Helton’s K #s are amazing. I am guessing with the bad back he has been subtly cheating, starting the bat a little earlier and the like, and that will kill you long-term. Has anyone got the number’s on the rise in Ks this year in the league in general? Seems like no one is throwing up huge K numbers this year but a lot of pitcher have good numbers (the whole “Year of the Pitcher theem”).
Eric, I assume you won’t be posting again right? I mean if the Rocks are done, why waste your time?
Look I am as frustrated as any fan out there. Their chances of making it are slimmer than they were a month ago. But there are still games to play. Baseball momementum can come from no where. But a sweep is mandatory right now. You can get away with .450-.500 on the road only if you play .800 or better at home from here on out. Are those two #s possible? Yes. Will it happen? Lets see tonight.
Great stats Doc.
So if we say an average of 20% of outs from position players are outs, that’s 5.4 K’s per game. Throw in a couple more from the pitcher and we have 7 K’s per game. And that’s third worst for the league.
Now think about all those 10-11 K games against mediocre pitchers. Depressing isn’t it?
The Rockies hitters do not get into deep counts on the road. At home it is a different story. Results of course are better at home.
Doc,Doc,Doc,I said they were done 21/2 weeks ago,and I’m still posting.Being a huge baseball fan,I look for any kind of games all winter long,and annoy all my friends w/updates every Feb.about Pitcher/catcher report date.I want them to be Beasts in the rest of my life[I'm 64].But,this years team is just not it.Don’t now way,maybe the expectations spooked them,or they read too much of their own press.Injuries to key players really hurt,but all teams have injuries.If u want to know why its impossible-read above-12 games left w/Dodgers.If we went 6/6 in those games I’d be thrilled,but they won’t.We would be much better off having 12 against Giants,then we could control destiny.
Thanks cargo and Tulo for pulling this one out. It would be nice if someone other than these 2 would step it up over the next 6 weeks.
I’ve meant to ask all of you this since DLR came back from the DL. Does anyone else notice his hesitation at the top of his delivery. I watched some video of last year and the beginning of this year and don’t see that hesitation. I was wondering if that pause is why he seems to be over-throwing the ball at times, its not as fluid as he was before.
Tracy in the DP says they need to win 31 out of the next 47 for a shot at the playoffs. Not sure that’s enough. Cards and Reds play vast majority of their games in Central and will beef up on teams like Astros, Cubs, Brewers, and Pirates while the West cancels each other out. Leads me to believe the wild card comes from the Central.
Much needed win, so keep it going and gain some momentum.
Gary, I get that you are a deep baseball fan. Your comments are not just “Baby Ruth’s tossed in the swimming pool” types (sorry for the visual there). You comments make me thinks. I was only responding to quick drop ins without anything constructive.
Are the Rocks finished? Unless they keep winning everything at home and figure out on the road, yes. Still believe they have a chance, but would I put more than $20 on it? Um, no.