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Without a move pronto, Rockies' postseason window to slam shut

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 11, 2008 at 3:47 p.m.

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Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca hangs his head during a recent Rockies loss.

Photo by David Zalubowski © AP

Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca hangs his head during a recent Rockies loss.

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The Rockies have found hope in history - recent history.

As disappointing as this season has been, the Rockies challenge the doubters.

They point to their late-season flurry last year - winning 14 of the final 15 regular-season games to claim the National League wild card and then earn the first NL pennant in franchise history - as evidence of what they are capable of doing.

They have to find their hope somewhere, because there hasn't been much about this year that would build confidence.

With 42 games remaining heading into the start of a three-game series tonight against Arizona at Coors Field, they are on the NL West fringes, in third place and eight games behind the Diamondbacks. But their 53-67 record is more indicative of how they have played than their stature in the NL West standings.

Manager Clint Hurdle has talked about having been blessed with a mulligan because nobody has run away with the division.

The players admit their good fortune that, despite what has happened on the field, they still hope to reach the postseason.

Time, however, is running out.

After a solid road trip (6-4), they have fallen flat at Coors Field in the past week. They lost three of four to a Washington team that arrived with the worst record in baseball, and then two of three during the weekend to a San Diego team that showed up with the second-worst record in the league.

Now comes the time of truth.

Having tripped against the lesser lights of the NL, the Rockies face the West-leading Diamondbacks, who have already won eight of nine from the Rockies this year.

The Rockies have aligned their rotation so that their top three starters will face Arizona - Ubaldo Jimenez tonight, Jeff Francis on Wednesday and Aaron Cook on Thursday.

All three have amends to make. Cook lost his first two starts on this homestand - Aug. 4 against Washington and Saturday against San Diego - and Francis and Jimenez were the losers when the Nationals swept a doubleheader Thursday.

Can they bounce back, or are the Rockies about to be bounced from NL West contention?

The next three games at Coors Field figure to have a lot to say about that.

Against the odds

Only 14 teams have faced deficits of 10 or more games and rallied to finish in first place:

* 1914 Braves, 15 games out on July 4. Braves finished 68-19 and won NL pennant by 101/2 games.

* 1930 Cardinals, 12 games out on Aug. 8. Cardinals finished 39-10 and won NL pennant by two games.

* 1935 Cubs, 101/2 games out on July 5. Cubs finished 62-22, including a 21-game win streak, to win NL pennant by four games.

* 1936 Giants, 101/2 games out on July 16. Giants finished 50-21 and won NL pennant by five games.

* 1942 Cardinals, 10 games back on Aug. 5. Cardinals finished 44-9 and won NL pennant by two games.

* 1951 Giants, 13 games back on Aug. 11. Giants finished 37-8, including winning NL playoff versus Dodgers.

* 1964 Cardinals, 11 games back on Aug. 23. Cardinals finished 28-11, while Phillies went 16-23, and Cardinals won NL pennant by one game.

* 1969 Mets, 10 games back on Aug. 13. Mets finished 38-11, while Cubs went 18-27, and Mets won NL East by eight games.

* 1973 Mets, 111/2 games back on Aug. 5. Mets finished season 34-19 and won NL East by 11/2 games.

* 1973 Reds, 11 games back on June 30. Reds finished 60-26 and won NL West by 3 1/2 games.

* 1978 Yankees, 14 games back on July 19. Yankees finished 52-21 and beat Boston in playoff for AL East.

* 1989 Blue Jays, 10 games back and in sixth place on July 5. Blue Jays finished 51-28 and won AL East by two games.

* 1993 Braves, 10 games back on July 22. Braves finished 49-16 and won NL West by one game.

* 1995 Mariners, 13 games back on Aug. 2. Mariners finished 35-20, beating Angels in playoff to win AL West.

Memories

The Rockies won 14 of their final 15 regular-season games - including an NL wild-card tiebreaker against San Diego - to claim the NL wild card and advance to the postseason last year.

Along the way, they never fell more than nine games below .500 (they have been down as many as 19 this year) and were never more than eight games out of first place.

They have trailed division-leading Arizona by as many as 12 games this season.

The 1914 Boston Braves are the only team to have overcome falling 16 games below .500 (12-28 on June 8) to win a pennant. The Braves won the World Series.

In 2005, the Houston Astros were 15 games below .500 (16-31 on May 27), and wound up winning the NL pennant. They lost in the World Series to the Chicago White Sox.

What's ahead

A quick look at the remaining schedule of the three teams:

* Arizona: 22 games remaining at home and 22 on the road. The Diamondbacks play 16 games outside the NL West - three at Houston and four at St. Louis, and three at home with Florida, St. Louis and Cincinnati. Key stretch comes after this week's trip to Colorado and San Diego, when Arizona plays 12 of its next 15 at home.

* Los Angeles: 21 games remaining at home and 23 on the road. The Dodgers play 18 games outside the NL West - four-game series with Philadelphia at home and on the road, four games at Pittsburgh, and three games at home with Milwaukee and at Washington. Key stretch began Monday night with a 10-game homestand that is followed by 10-game trip to Philadelphia, Washington and Arizona.

* Colorado: 21 games remaining at home and 21 on the road. The Rockies play 12 games outside the NL West - three each at Washington and Atlanta, and three each at home with Cincinnati and Houston. Key stretch: After this week's series with Arizona, Rockies are on the road for 12 of next 15.

Key additions

Each team made a significant addition or additions in recent days:

* Arizona: OF Adam Dunn was acquired Monday from Cincinnati and will provide a powerful bat in the Diamondbacks' lineup. RHP Jon Rauch, acquired from Washington for 2B Emilio Bonaficio. Rauch provides quality eighth-inning relief.

* Los Angeles: LF Manny Ramirez, acquired in three-team deal that sent 3B Andy LaRoche and a prospect to Pittsburgh, with Boston picking up remaining $7 million of Ramirez's salary. Ramirez is hitting .475 (19-for-40) with four home runs and 13 RBI in 10 games since his arrival, but the Dodgers went 5-5 in those games.

* Colorado: RHP Livan Hernandez, claimed on waivers from Minnesota. Rockies debut on Sunday was a bust - 22/3 innings, seven hits, including two home runs, four walks and nine runs allowed.

Aches and pains

Key injuries each team is dealing with:

* Arizona: LF Eric Byrnes has been out since June with a left-hamstring problem. 2B Orlando Hudson dislocated his left wrist last weekend, ending his season. Diamondbacks will fill in at second with Augie Ojeda and Chris Burke.

* Los Angeles: SS Rafael Furcal underwent back surgery and has been out since May. Nomar Garciaparra, on the disabled list for the third time, is expected to be activated today and get the bulk of playing time. Angel Berroa, the 2005 AL Rookie of Year who spent the past two years in Kansas City farm system, has been filling in.

* Colorado: 1B Todd Helton has a lower-back strain and was moved to the 60-day disabled list on Sunday, meaning he cannot be activated before Sept. 2. In his absence, 3B Garrett Atkins has moved to first, and rookie Ian Stewart has been given a shot to play every day at third.

Counting on

A player who needs to step it up down the stretch with each team:

* Arizona: RHP Brandon Lyon, the Diamondbacks' closer. He has failed in two of he past seven save opportunities and has allowed 11 earned runs on 19 hits and two walks in 92/3 innings during that 10-appearance stretch.

* Los Angeles: RHP Chad Billingsley. Billingsley is 7-2 with a 2.18 ERA since June 17. In that stretch, he's one victory behind major league leader A.J. Burnett and tied with Roy Halladay for third-lowest ERA behind CC Sabathia (1.69) and Rich Harden (2.01).

* Colorado: LHP Jeff Francis. He recently came off the disabled list, hoping to have overcome early-season problems. The Rockies need solid help for the rotation. He equaled a club record with 17 wins last year, but is 3-8 this season.

Comments

  • August 12, 2008

    8:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    RDenver writes:

    Mathematically...the Rox are still in it. But they need to win all 3 against the Backs! It all starts with pitching! I just hope the starters can get through at least 6 innings because the bull pen looks a little weak.

  • August 12, 2008

    8:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Tracy Ringolsby writes:

    RDenver, your points are right on. As for the bullpen, as the old cliche puts it, ``The bullpen is good if you use it when you want to, not when you have to.'' That's been a problem with the Rockies lately. They have had to go to the bullpen out of necessity, not desire.

  • August 12, 2008

    10:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    It's starting to look like I'm the only one missing Helton. I still think he's the best 1st baseman over the past 10 years (#1 in fielding, #1 in games played, & #1 in hitting). Pujols is great, but he needs to do it for a few more years. Just ask a guy like Brett Farve about his greatness, he'll tell you it starts with his longevity. Also, every other player in that Rockies locker room knows & respects H's greatness. Don't forget he's the one who started last year's run with that parker of of Saito, the same guy who we had gotten what, 1 hit ever off of & Helton takes him deep to start the run of the ages.

  • August 12, 2008

    10:17 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    1somelikeithot writes:

    RDenver, glad to see that you've calmed down. Guess that off day helped you to take a breather. I agree with you totally. Hopefully they will bounce back because these guys have got good stuff. And, hopefully the off day gave some of the guys some much needed rest and some time to refocus. Also, want to congratulate Ian Stewart on his winning NL Rookie of the Month. Go Rockies!!

  • August 12, 2008

    10:20 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    1somelikeithot writes:

    No arvada, you are not the only one missing Helton. I have been a big fan of his for a long time and will continue to be.

  • August 12, 2008

    1:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TheSlinger writes:

    umm.... dont think we have a chance in heck. last year was lightning in a bottle and they just havent shown the consistency all year to go out and dominate for a month. maybe next year when holliday and atkins are playing for contenders we can sneak up on the big bad pay roll teams. pshhh, until we have an ownership who's committed to winning and not just content with not being terrible we will never compete in the major leagues. sad but true...

  • August 12, 2008

    4:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    Well, the Red S U X got Byrd from the Tribe. We got Livan for absolutely nothing, & Byrd, well, he pretty much went for a bag of balls & some cash to be named later. The difference, Byrd is something like 4-0 in his last 5 starts. That bag of balls must have been the deal breaker for the Rox.