Post by Mike RedSox on Apr 1, 2018 14:06:56 GMT -5
Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants
Giants almost won the West... The Rockies barely made the wild card...
SF led the NL West on Sept. 27th. They had 10 games left. They would only win 3 of those games. Despite losing that lead they easily secured a Wild Card spot.
Alternatively, with one day remaining in the season the Rockies were behind the Nats in the NL Wild card.
The Rockies beat the DBacks and the Nats lost to the Braves forcing a one 163rd game with the Nats.
The Rockies would win that game leading to another decisive matchup now with the Giants.
Classic Rockies team vs. well balanced SF team.
The Rockies are the hot team going 10-3, but the Giants have been good all year.
Given that teams recent success without CF Charlie Blackmon it's curious that they'll be brining him 6 week DL stint to start against the Giant's left handed ace.
Blackmon's OPS against southpaws this year... .694, that drops to .417 on the road!
The Rockies lineup has been 2nd best to the Dodgers, but their pitching had to subsist without Michael Fulmer much of the season.
Their bullpen has been the problem with closer Greg Holland putting up an embarrassing 5.05 ERA. In fact, only two relievers in their bullpen have an ERA below 4.
The Giants on the other hand are a very well balanced team. They are 3rd in both runs scored and runs against.
They lost Samardzija early in the season but got a fine showing from rookie Joan Gregorio and Veteran Johnny Cueto.
Their lineup includes 7 players with 2+ WAR with NO real issues.
The Matchup: Fulmer vs Mad Bum
In this home game for the Giants, playoff Ace and 29 y/o lefty Madison Bumgarner faces off against 25 y/o right Michael Fulmer.
Mad Bum's hammer curve could be a challenge to the Rockies. The Rockies have plenty of right handers, but have lost 3 games to 1 vs. Bumgarner this season.
Michael Fulmer brings 4 elite pitches, including a fastball that touches 96. This hasn't helped much against SF as he's lost 2 of his 3 games against them this season.
Rocky Road
The real question, in a single game series is, how will Colorado do on the road?
Interestingly enough, their hitting tendencies have been fairly neutral as can be seen in their power numbers:
129 HR at home vs 131 HR on the road
146 2B at home vs 140 HR on the road
The pitchers have fared differently. As a team their road ERA is over a full run lower than at home! Their 4.15 ERA would place them 5th in the NL.
Keys to victory
Colorado needs:
The bullpen to continue to thrive on the road.
Blackmon to have learned how to hit Lefties during his DL stint.
Michael Fulmer to pitch the game he's capable of.
Giants need:
Mad Bum needs to give this team 7 innings.
The offense to work Fulmer's pitch count and try to do damage against the bullpen.
Do Panik, his lefty bat is key to beating Fulmer.
Expert's Prediction
It'll be a close one, but the Giants have all the tools necessary to beat the Rockies if they can be patient at the plate.
Giants almost won the West... The Rockies barely made the wild card...
SF led the NL West on Sept. 27th. They had 10 games left. They would only win 3 of those games. Despite losing that lead they easily secured a Wild Card spot.
Alternatively, with one day remaining in the season the Rockies were behind the Nats in the NL Wild card.
The Rockies beat the DBacks and the Nats lost to the Braves forcing a one 163rd game with the Nats.
The Rockies would win that game leading to another decisive matchup now with the Giants.
Classic Rockies team vs. well balanced SF team.
The Rockies are the hot team going 10-3, but the Giants have been good all year.
Given that teams recent success without CF Charlie Blackmon it's curious that they'll be brining him 6 week DL stint to start against the Giant's left handed ace.
Blackmon's OPS against southpaws this year... .694, that drops to .417 on the road!
The Rockies lineup has been 2nd best to the Dodgers, but their pitching had to subsist without Michael Fulmer much of the season.
Their bullpen has been the problem with closer Greg Holland putting up an embarrassing 5.05 ERA. In fact, only two relievers in their bullpen have an ERA below 4.
The Giants on the other hand are a very well balanced team. They are 3rd in both runs scored and runs against.
They lost Samardzija early in the season but got a fine showing from rookie Joan Gregorio and Veteran Johnny Cueto.
Their lineup includes 7 players with 2+ WAR with NO real issues.
The Matchup: Fulmer vs Mad Bum
In this home game for the Giants, playoff Ace and 29 y/o lefty Madison Bumgarner faces off against 25 y/o right Michael Fulmer.
Mad Bum's hammer curve could be a challenge to the Rockies. The Rockies have plenty of right handers, but have lost 3 games to 1 vs. Bumgarner this season.
Michael Fulmer brings 4 elite pitches, including a fastball that touches 96. This hasn't helped much against SF as he's lost 2 of his 3 games against them this season.
Rocky Road
The real question, in a single game series is, how will Colorado do on the road?
Interestingly enough, their hitting tendencies have been fairly neutral as can be seen in their power numbers:
129 HR at home vs 131 HR on the road
146 2B at home vs 140 HR on the road
The pitchers have fared differently. As a team their road ERA is over a full run lower than at home! Their 4.15 ERA would place them 5th in the NL.
Keys to victory
Colorado needs:
The bullpen to continue to thrive on the road.
Blackmon to have learned how to hit Lefties during his DL stint.
Michael Fulmer to pitch the game he's capable of.
Giants need:
Mad Bum needs to give this team 7 innings.
The offense to work Fulmer's pitch count and try to do damage against the bullpen.
Do Panik, his lefty bat is key to beating Fulmer.
Expert's Prediction
It'll be a close one, but the Giants have all the tools necessary to beat the Rockies if they can be patient at the plate.
