Clint Hurdle probably didn't think it'd be this bad. Sure, when your team is streaky enough to win 21 of 22 and get you into the World Series out of nowhere, there's always a chance it could go the other way. 39-57 at the All-Star break isn't a slump, though. His team, a young group most experts thought would be right back in contention this fall have fallen flat on their faces. Then again, the entire NL West has been a major disppointment considering the way last season ended up.
At least Colorado has some decent excuses. Troy Tulowitzki's been hurt and is hitting about .120 points below where he was a year ago at this time. Jeff Francis, a guy who was at least worth a mention as a potential All-Star before the season started has been dreadful...and injured. Brad Hawpe, Manny Corpas and Todd Helton, all stars of last year's uprising have been downright poor to this point in the season. They miss LaTroy Hawkins, Jeremy Affeldt and Kaz Matsui, and they've gone from being in the middle of the pack in terms of team ERA a season ago to next to last in the NL.
Having said all that, they are in what amounts to a AAA division out there in the West. They are currently sitting only six back of the Dodgers as they start an important three game set against LA in Coors. Considering how poorly they've played on the road, the home games they have remaining against both LA and Arizona (twice as many for each as they have left on the road with those teams) are vital. They also appear to be getting healthy. Tulowitzki and Helton should be back any day. Francis is due back within the next week and Corpas, who has twice as many blown saves and losses as ballgames he's closed out successfully to his record this year has begun to get his sinker to actually live up to its name in recent weeks. Now, if they could get Ubaldo Jimenez to be at least somewhat competant away from Coors (strange to say that) and keep everyone healthy for the next two months they've got a legit shot at taking the division.
Out West you've got four of the eight worst team batting averages in all of baseball, and while the Rockies aren't exactly lighting it up thus far this year, they're certainly more capable of putting together a hot hitting streak than any other team in the division. Considering the experience gained from a season ago and the track record of a great second half, Colorado is looking like a formidable darkhorse contender into the dogdays...in spite of a record 15 under .500.
Keywords: Colorado Rockies
