These Rockies are not big believers in playing 'for pride'
When they were eliminated, things got ugly fast. One run in a 30 inning stretch in St. Louis and they dropped 13 of their last 14. One thing I found a bit baffling during this stretch was the fact that Melvin Mora and Todd Helton continued to log regular innings. Especially with the Toddfather - why put extra miles on that back in meaningless games? Sometimes we can at least enjoy the so-called "meaningless" games because it gives young players a chance to get experience. There was absolutely nothing to enjoy about the Rockies' final stretch.
Rockies fans relearned the importance of starting pitching
In their final gasp for a playoff berth, it seems the Rockies were in a 3-0 or 4-0 hole every game before they got to the 3rd inning. The inability of pitchers to pitch deep into games ran their bullpen into the ground and ultimately exposed it to a thrashing at the hands of the lowly Diamondbacks. This makes the signing of Jorge De La Rosa a top priority in the offseason (we hope), and Jhoulys Chacin is a key player entering next season. And how bizarre was Jason Hammel's dead arm? A weird tag on the end of a weird season.
This might be the time for the organization to make an exception when it comes to its dependence on home grown players
Because they need to go get more pop for this lineup. There are a lot of likable players who flat out did not get it done this year. Ian Stewart will (again) be a key player for the team next season, but this year he was (again) a huge disappointment between his inconsistency, his frightening strike-out streaks, and his injuries. Seth Smith reached a point where he was approaching what I like to call 'Peyton Hillis' status when it came to fans screaming for him to get more playing time. The difference is, instead of trading him, the Rockies gave Seth a chance to play every day and he was an absolute disaster. Enjoy pinch hitting, Seth.
(Note: If you don't know who Peyton Hillis is, ask the nearest Broncos fan. They will tell you he is a running back, and then they will use all the white football player cliches, like he has a 'good motor' and is a 'workhorse.' Whatever they say, they will conclude with "AND HE SHOULD HAVE PLAYED MORE LAST YEAR!" Denver traded him to the Browns, where he is playing well. This is a very sensitive issue for Broncos fans. Seth Smith was close to this status with Rockies fans, as in, "Seth Smith is so good, just imagine if he got to play every day?" Well, he batted something like .180 after the all-star break, so now we don't have to wonder).
Chris Iannetta is another home grown talent with all the raw power one could hope for, and all the inconsistencies to drive us crazy. It was inevitable that this team would fall short if nobody produced runs behind CarGo and Tulo. And nobody did.
They will need to go get more pop, whether in an outfielder who can start in the corner not occupied by CarGo or a first baseman to pair with Todd Helton. Even though he is a miserable fielder, these Victor Martinez grumblings are interesting.
They need more bullpen arms
But really, doesn't every team learn this every season?
It's a great time to be a Rockies fan
I know a lot of people are extra bummed because of the way they folded at the end, but we've now had a stretch of three out of four seasons where the Rockies have been relevant and playing meaningful games late into September. Remember the days of Royce Clayton? Denny Neagle? Jeff Cirillo? Jeffrey Hammonds? Bobby Estalella? Rodrigo Lopez? Jeromy Burnitz? (Want me to keep going?) Take any of the seasons where any of those names was an important Rockie, and you would find me and so many others dying to just watch a team who had a chance. Now we have that team.
I understand that this season is considered a failure. But how fun is it that we get to ask questions like "What pieces do they need to get over the top in the division?" instead of "How old is Ray King?" or "Did they seriously sign Jeromy Burnitz?"
Playoff Picks!
Divisional Series
Twins over Yankees in 4 - They will finally beat the Yankees in the divisional series. However, I predict they do it the non-traditional way (or what many call the "impossible way"). They will lose game 1 to CC, but will then win 3 straight slug fests, including beating a short-rested CC in game 4.
Rays over Rangers in 5 - I know the divisional series rarely comes down to a 5th game, but I think this one will and the Rays will benefit from their previous playoff experience and win it. Once again, don't expect low scoring nail-biters because neither team has much pitching these days.
Phillies over Reds in 3 - I really hope I'm wrong because the Reds are an easy team to cheer for. But like everybody else, I just don't see the Phillies losing many games on their way to the World Series.
Giants over Braves in 4 - The Giants are the only team besides the Phillies who actually have some starting pitchers they can ride deep into the playoffs. It will pay off here and the Braves will finally run out of gas and come up short in Bobby Cox's final season.
Championship Series
Rays Over Twins in 7 - if the Twins do make it this far, I'll be cheering hard for them, but the Rays are a more complete team and would edge them out in a long series.
Phillies over Giants in 6 - I would love to just say Phillies in 4, because I want the Giants to get housed by somebody after the whole humidor issue. But these will feel more like old fashioned playoff games, with some great pitching match-ups. The Phillies will come up with the timely hits to come out on top.
World Series!
Phillies over Rays in 5 - With Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels, the Phillies bring the World Series back to the National League. Ugh, I do not care for those Phillies fans, but I think they're going to get another one because that trio of starting pitchers is stupid good, and will stand out in a year where stud starting pitchers are notably absent in the playoffs.
Other, smarter guys writing about the playoffs...
Tom Verducci answers 10 questions about the playoffs http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/tom_verducci/10/05/playoff.preview/index.html?eref=sircrc
Jerry Crasnick writes about Roy Halladay http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=5644528
Ken Rosenthal previews Rays v. Rangers http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Tampa-Bay-Rays-Texas-Rangers-ALDS-preview-100510
Jeff Passan on Derek Jeter's role for the Yankees in the playoffs http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AkN_pEqjna3qf.lY08AmK8MRvLYF?slug=jp-jeter100510
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