Some Good Signs in the Split

The Rockies dropped the opener today 4-1 but salvaged the nightcap 8-1 behind a complete game by Aaron Cook.

Some Random thoughts:

Aaron Cook finally had his sinkerball working in his 4th start of the season. One game is not a trend, but with a veteran like Cook, who has really been struggling since late last July, it was a good performance to watch.

It seems to me in the early going that Troy Tulowitzki has been trying to do to much at the plate and today, he finally looked like he was in a groove to actually contribute. He had two singles in the first game and scored the only Rockies run. He followed that up with 2 more hits tonight, including a 2 run double, and scored Cook on a Double Play ball in the 8th. It seems like every year, we need to wait for Tulo to stay within himself. Hopefully, this is the point this year that he realizes it.

Dexter Fowler has to be happy with his game tonight. 3 for 3 with two walks and a Steal. It was surprising to see all the speculation on the National level about Dexter being sent down to the minors. He may lose some playing time if Seth or Ryan were to start getting hot, but Dexter now has hits in his last 4 starts, so he may be heating up as well.

Carlos Gonzalez broke an 0-13 string with a base hit late in tonight's game.

I continue to be impressed with Miguel Olivo. He continues to throw out runners, and hit Homers. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get more starts than Iannetta, until Iannetta starts breaking loose.

Greg Smith has had some so-so performances, but you have to keep in mind that he's coming back from an injury that kept him out most of last year, and although he's in the #2 starter spot by happenstance when Francis went down, he is in actuality the team's 5th Starter. His last two starts have not been great, but he avoided getting the team into a deep hole in both of them. Whatever experience he can get out of this will be good for his and the Rockies future. He doesn't have overpowering stuff like Jimenez or De La Rosa, but he is reacting well when he gets in trouble.