Tuesday, October 02, 2007

White Vs. Red

It's been fourteen tortured years, but enough of this revelry; let's get back to reality, which arrives tomorrow in the collective person of the Colorado Rockies. As they say in the trade, these two clubs know each other having met a few weeks ago at the same venue. The clubs split that series with each team alternately bludgeoning the other.

They are going to be tough. Todd Helton is a charter member of the Phillies-killer club, Rocky Mountain division. Matt Holliday received an invitation to join and is only waiting for the formal induction ceremonies. Throw in Atkins, Tulowitzki, Taveras, Hawpe and a rejuvenated Kaz Matsui and you have an offense every bit as potent as the Phillies...if not more so. Their team batting average is .280, six points above the Phils. They have nearly scored as many runs per game.

On the mound Jeff Francis is a fine number one and the youngsters who baffled the Phils the last time they visited CBP have live arms. Their bullpen isn't San Diego's, or wasn't until Trevor Hoffmann picked the least opportune time in a Hall of Fame career to falter.

Colorado is white hot, having won 14 of its last fifteen games. The Phillies are red hot, having won 13 of 17. One of them is due to cool off. Let it be Colorado.

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