The Rockies and the NLCS
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It's nice to see Jeff Francis on the cover of Sports Illustrated, but let's hope the SI Curse doesn't mess with the Rockies. Even ESPN spent a few minutes covering the Rockies last night, although much of the NLCS discussion focused on the greatness of Brandon Webb (I assume because the people at ESPN have known about Brandon Webb for more than a few weeks). Whatever.
The NLCS gets under way tonight, with game 1 starting at 6:37 p.m. in hot (temperature-wise) Arizona. I'm no good at predicting anything, but I expect a low score in this Francis-Webb matchup.
The Rockies will be sporting a new look on offense. Center fielder Willy Taveras returns to the lineup after being sidelined with a strained right quad since September 8. The speedy Taveras, who leads the team in stolen bases (33), will be leading off. Taveras has been solid when healthy, but big changes to the lineup that brought us this amazing 17-1 streak have many Rockies fans worried. Kazuo Matsui will move from first to second, and Troy Tulowitzki (who was batting second) will move down to seventh.
Probable pitchers as of 10/11
Game 1: Jeff Francis (LHP) (17-9, 4.22) Career vs. Diamondbacks : 7-2, 3.54
Game 2: Ubaldo Jiménez (RHP) (4-4, 4.28) Career vs. Diamondbacks: 0-0, 2.77
Game 3: Josh Fogg (RHP) (10-9, 4.94) Career vs. Diamondbacks: 6-1, 3.71
Game 4: Franklin Morales (LHP) (3-2, 3.48) Career vs. Diamondbacks: N/A
Complete Rockies NLCS roster
RHP: Taylor Buchholz, Manny Corpas, Josh Fogg, LaTroy Hawkins, Matt Herges, Ubaldo Jiménez, Ryan Speier
LHP: Jeremy Affeldt, Jeff Francis, Brian Fuentes, Franklin Morales
Catchers: Chris Iannetta, Yorvit Torrealba
Infielders: Garrett Atkins, Jamey Carroll, Todd Helton, Kazuo Matsui, Troy Tulowitzki
Outfielders: Jeff Baker, Brad Hawpe, Matt Holliday, Seth Smith, Ryan Spilborghs, Cory Sullivan, Willy Taveras
Aaron Cook (out since August 10 with a strained oblique) and Mark Redman are not on the NLCS roster.
Pro-Rockies notes
-By all reports heard in Denver, fans here are way more excited about this series than fans in Arizona.
-Francis was hot in the NLDS (1-0, 3.00, 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 K).
-The Rockies are 10-8 against the Diamondbacks this year, 5-4 at home and at Chase Field. Although the Rockies' one loss in the last 18 games was to the D-Backs, they won twice in that series (by a score of 11-1 in game 2, which featured Troy Tulowitzki's first career grand slam -- I was there and it was awesome).
-Our guys do well against Arizona:
- Jamey Carroll: 7 for 19/.368 (11 R)
- Brad Hawpe: 19 for 54/.352 (3 HR, 18 RBI)
- Todd Helton: 24 for 64/.375 (16 BB)
- Matt Holliday: 26 for 72/.361 (13 RBI)
- Kazuo Matsui's career average vs. Brandon Webb: .423
- Brandon Webb vs. Rockies this year: 1-3, 5.77
- The Rockies hit .290 against Jose Valverde, who had 2 blown saves against the Rockies, most recently on August 31 at Chase.
HBP prediction
This means nothing, but I'm saying Rockies in 6. See you at game 3!
