Rockies at Padres, September 15 2012: Game Time, Lineups, and Preview

Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres, 6:35 PM MDT

As I sit here enjoying my Rockies taco special, knowing that I will pay for it later because no normal human being should be allowed to consume four tacos without consequence but failing to care, I am happy for the team’s recent success-ish. Sure, we remain the only team in our division who has been all but eliminated from postseason contention. Certainly by the time I attend my final game of the season, next Friday, that elimination will be official. But there are flashes of hope. Take Wilin Rosario, for instance, who has remained abysmal on defense but whose swing has developed into something truly beautiful. That long 2-run double he hit in the 1st inning last night was nearly perfect. I wouldn’t have put Rosario in at clean-up earlier this season, but now I think he’s actually worthy of it. He’s still no Troy Tulowitzki (oh how I miss Tulo), but he has improved to the point that I’m willing to admit he’s probably the best we can do in that spot. And then there’s Josh Rutledge, not as speedy as you might like for a top-of-the-order hitter, but someone who has morphed from a stopgap into a necessary part of the lineup. Rosario and Rutledge return next year, along with a healthy Tulo, Todd Helton, Michael Cuddyer, and an undiminished Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez, and we might actually be in business. Now if only we could do something about that Tracy guy …

Make some noise tonight, Charlie. Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

Tonight’s game against San Diego features all the usual suspects, though Charlie Blackmon (!) gets a rare start in the outfield. I need Charlie to prove he was more than a flash in the pan last season. Drew Pomeranz takes the mound, and he still has a little something to prove himself. Facing off against these guys will be the Padres’ Casey Kelly, a youngun with only 14 major league innings under his belt. Much as I hate to shake a kid’s confidence, it would be fun to see the Rockies tee off against him.

Dexter Fowler (S) CF
Josh Rutledge (R) SS
Carlos Gonzalez (L) LF
Wilin Rosario (R) C
Tyler Colvin (L) 1B
Chris Nelson (R) 3B
Charlie Blackmon (L) RF
DJ LeMahieu (R) 2B
Drew Pomeranz (L) P

Chris Denorfia (R) RF
Logan Forsythe (R) 2B
Chase Headley (S) 3B
Yasmani Grandal (S) C
Jesus Guzman (R) LF
Yonder Alonson (L) 1B
Cameron Maybin (R) CF
Andy Parrino (S) SS
Casey Kelly (R) P