Friday, July 9, 2010

The Wild, Wild West

The Rockies are finally hitting as expected, and had two tremendous comebacks against the Cardinals while the Giants pounded Milwaukee, bringing the NL West closer to a true four-team race.

The last weekend prior to the All-Star break brings the first-place San Diego Padres to town to face the (finally) hit-stroking Rockies. It includes the return of Jorge De La Rosa to the rotation, which would finally bring the Rockies planned 2010 Rotation to Full Strength. (My personal preference for the rotation after the AS Break--De La Rosa, Jimenez, Hammel, Francis, Cook). The Rockies are currently tied with the Mets for the Wild Card lead, but have a chance to chase down the Padres with another sweep. So far this year the Rockies lead the Series with San Diego 6-3.

A lot of local discussion lately has centered on whether Ubaldo Jimenez should start the All-Star game. He will certainly pitch early in the game regardless. The bigger travesty is that Catcher Miguel Olivo won't even be on the roster. I used to love the All-Star game, but they now have bigger rosters and seemingly more undeserving players going than ever. Why Votto wasn't on the roster to begin with was beyond me. Arguably he's better than Pujols this year, Votto certainly should have been picked over Gonzalez or Howard. And did they seriously only pick one player from the Padres for this game (Prior to Heath Bell Being Added)?