The next biggest series of the year for the Colorado Rockies

In an August 24 blog, I noted that commentators had been hyping the Colorado Rockies' homestand against the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers as the most important in team history. I questioned that hyperbole at the time, and given that this particular stretch sputtered out with two...

By Michael Roberts

August 28, 2009

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In an August 24 blog, I noted that commentators had been hyping the Colorado Rockies' homestand against the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers as the most important in team history. I questioned that hyperbole at the time, and given that this particular stretch sputtered out with two consecutive defeats to L.A. (a team that always seems to have the Rocks' number, as I also pointed out in the aforementioned post), I fear those same folks may shift into frantic mode during the next three games, against the Giants in San Francisco -- particularly if they don't go well.

True, the Rockies only have a two-and-a-half game lead over S.F. in the wild-card standings right now, and if they're swept, they'll actually trail by Sunday night. But all would be far from lost thanks to an exceedingly favorable September schedule: eighteen of the final 27 games at home, mostly against mediocre opponents (among them, the Mets, the Diamondbacks, the Reds and the Padres), plus three additional games against the Giants (in the Bay Area, unfortunately) but no more against the Dodgers. With that in mind, simply try to enjoy tonight's tremendous pitching matchup -- Ubaldo Jimenez vs. Tim Lincecum, who were on the mound during this past Sunday's great face-off, won by the Rockies 4-2. Even if Jimenez doesn't manage to best Lincecum again, the team remains on the inside track to the playoffs. The glass is still half full.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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