Colorado Rockies Home Opener

Colorado Rockies - The ‘07 National League Champs return to Coors Field for their 2008 home opener. The gritty Rockies go into the ‘08 season as a favorite, unlike last year when they spent the final months of the season accomplishing the impossible. Many experts have picked the Rockies as the team to beat, and with possibly the most potent offensive lineup in baseball, it’s no wonder.

The Colorado Rockies have 4 players with the capability to eclipse the 25 homer, 100 rbi mark - plus Todd Helton. Troy Tulowitzki hit 24 home runs and 99 rbi’s in his first complete season at the Major League level. He also led the league with a .987 fielding percentage. Matt Holliday had a huge year knocking out 36 homers and driving in 137 runs. Brad Hawpe had another year of improvement hitting 29 home runs with 116 rbi’s. Garrett Atkins, the Rockies third baseman had another great year as well with 25 homers and 111 rbi’s. Add Heltons 17 homers and 91 rbi’s, and what you have is a pitchers nightmare. A team with five players who averaged 26 home runs and 111 rbi’s has to make opposing pitchers sweat.

To make matters worse (or better if you’re a Rockies fan), is that these guys are getting better! Tulowitzki is only 23 years old, while Holliday, Atkins, and Hawpe are moving into the prime of their careers. Each of them turned 28 years old during the last 8 months, and look to further improve their numbers going into the ‘08 season.

The Rockies also have a nice group of young pitchers. Six of the Rockies pitchers are under 28 years old, and with last years playoff experience under their belts, the future is looking good. Manny Corpus, who developed into the Rockies closer last year, finished the season with 19 saves out of 22 opportunites. He also had a respectable 3/1 strikeout/walk ratio and a 2.08 era. Another pitcher to watch is the Rockies young starter Ubaldo Jimenez. He’s a tall righty with the stuff it takes to win 15-20 games. If he can command better control this year, look for this kid to breakout and become the next superstar for the Colorado Rockies.

Today, the Rockies take on the (1-2) Arizona Diamondbacks at their season home opener at Coors Field. If you ever find yourself in the Denver area, we highly suggest taking a trip to Lodo (Lower Downtown) in Denver and checking out a game. The Lodo area offers dozens of great sportsbars & restaurants, as well as being within walking distance of Coors Field.

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