It Doesn't Get Better Than This

The last couple of months has been more proof of why baseball is so great.  Earlier in August, I mentioned that the Rockies had a lot of games that were decided in the last at bat or inning.  For the D-Backs that has been a problem in September, as they have lost 7 games already in the late innings, against teams they need to beat.  The Rockies were the recipients of good favor last night with D.J. LeMahieu hitting a two-run homer with one out in the 9th inning after the Rockies had squandered other opportunities to score. 

Those 7 games may break Arizona's seaon as it's the difference between being 10-1 in September or 3-8.  It also would put them into first place at the moment, but instead they fell 3.5 games in back of the Rockies, which puts the D-Backs in almost a must win situation this afternoon at Coors Field.  A loss puts them 4.5 games behind the Rockies and at least 3 behind the Dodgers, a win puts them at 2.5 and potentially 1 game behind the Dodgers.  It also doesn't get easy for them with Houston, Cubs, Rockies and Dodgers coming up in the next 12 games. 

The Rockies meanwhile have some of that 2007 magic back.  Last night's game was reminiscent of Todd Helton's 301st HR off of Saito to the walk-off win in game 3 of "The Streak". 

All three NL West contenders are on the road this weekend  The Dodgers head into St. Louis for a 4 game series starting tonight with the Cardinals, while the D-Backs head to Houston to close out their Inter-League season.  The Rockies seemingly have the easier schedule this weekend heading to San Francisco to play the Giants, but the Giants have lost 11 straight games and may be ready to explode at home.  And don't forget what Cincinnati just did to the Dodgers, taking two out of three in Cincinnati and 6 of 7 for the season.  All the games right now are meaningful. 

Rockies Rotation Update:

9/3 vs. Giants Anderson--W
9/4 vs. Giants Marquez--W
9/5/vs. Giants Senzatela--W9/7 vs. Dodgers Gray--L
9/8 vs. Dodgers Freeland--W9/9 vs. Dodgers Anderson--L
9/10 vs. D-Backs Marquez--W9/11 vs. D-Backs Senzatela--L
9/12 vs. D-Backs Gray--W

9/13 vs. D-Backs Freeland
9/14 at Giants Anderson
9/15 at Giants Marquez
9/16 at Giants Senzatela
9/17 at Dodgers Gray
9/18 at Dodgers Freeland
9/19 at Dodgers Anderson

9/20 OFF DAY

9/21 at D-Backs Marquez

9/22 at D-Backs Senzatela
9/23 at D-Backs  Gray

9/24 Phillies  Freeland

9/25 Phillies  Anderson

9/26 Phillies   Marquez

9/27 Phillies    Senzatella

9/28 Nationals  Gray

9/29 Nationals  Freeland

9/30 Nationals Anderson

Should the Rockies win the Division their first playoff game would be on Thursday, and they would be able to start Gray, Freeland or Marquez in that game.  If they are in the Wild Card Play in game, it would likely be Marquez going on Tuesday, 10/2.