April 16, 2008
Shutting Down Colorado
Randy Wolf and the San Diego Padres shutout the Colorado Rockies Tuesday night 6-0. It was the eighth time this season Colorado was held to two runs or less, most in the majors:
| Team | 2 Runs or Less |
| Rockies | 8 |
| Giants | 7 |
| Padres | 7 |
| Tigers | 6 |
| Athletics | 6 |
In 2007, Colorado was held to two runs or less 39 times, or 6.5 times per month. They're not at the bottom of the runs per game list, but they're getting close. Outside of Holliday and Helton, we're not seeing the combined OBA and power from the Rockies evident last season.
Believe it or not, Colorado is actually lucky. As bad as they've played and as well as the D-Backs have played, the Rockies are only 4 1/2 games back. The run diff spread between the two teams is a ridiculous 62 after a couple weeks - Arizona +37, Colorado -25. The Rockies could easily have been buried seven or eight back by now.
I don't think the teams have competely reversed quality from last season, when Colorado had the best run diff in the NL while the D-Backs were underwater. So I expect the already small gap between them to close, not widen.
It's hard to believe that losing Matsui and Torreabla would hurt you that much but it does make them change their lineup. Tulo isn't hitting in the #2 spot and they've basically got outs in 7,8 and 9. I think they need to let Barmes play 2B and hit second and move Tulo down in the lineup.
Torreabla is still the starting catcher.
Oh, and it's only April. Tulo and the rest of them had the same crappy start last year.