Weekend Links: Rockies News, 4/6

The Rockies made it three straight with a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday afternoon. They continue their first home series as Jon Garland takes the mound. Here’s what else is happening with the Rockies and around the rest of the league this weekend:

From Patrick Saunders and Troy Renck: Rockies’ Dexter Fowler off to slugging start with third home run (Denver Post)

"Fowler credits his fast start to new hitting coach Dante Bichette and new manager Walt Weiss.“It’s awesome that Dante and Walt just go let us play,” Fowler said. “They say, ‘Hey, just go swing a bat. We know you can hit. Pitchers will do their job, you just go do yours.’ “"

Fowler after yesterday’s home run. Image: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

From David Schoenfield: Marlins, Rockies still seeking answers (ESPN)

"The complicated part of that suggestion — that the Rockies haven’t solved pitching in Coors Field — is that that Rockies actually play very well at Coors Field. Over the past 10 years, the Rockies have the largest home-field advantage in baseball; they’ve won 121 more games at home than on the road (Tampa Bay is second at plus-107). That would suggest the Rockies actually have figured out how to play at Coors Field. What they haven’t figured out is how to win on the road."

From John Parent: Nolan Arenado Off To Blistering Start At Colorado Springs (Grading On The Curve)

"Though he’s much more a line drive hitter than a traditional slugger, the right handed bat Arenado brings to the plate is a lethal one and scouts project that eventually many of the line-drive doubles he produces will carry over the wall, much the same way they have begun to for Kansas City’s Billy Butler.He’s not a five-tool guy, which probably why he doesn’t rate higher on the various top prospect lists. Arenado is not a fast runner and his defense at the hot corner is adequate but not outstanding. He has worked to become better, losing some weight to play at a more moveable 205 lbs, and that effort has resulted in better agility and range at third base."

From Troy Renck, Denver Post (via Twitter)

From Cliff Corcoran: First week impressions of all 30 teams (Sports Illustrated)

"San Francisco GiantsMadison Bumgarner‘s velocity is back and he’s ready to make the leap.Bumgarner was 14-7 with a 2.83 ERA late last August when his season took a downturn turn associated with a drop in velocity. In his first start this year, however, his fastball was back up, averaging 92 miles per hour, and he flat-out dominated the Dodgers, allowing just two doubles in eight scoreless innings and retiring 18 in a row at one point."

From Jonah Keri: ‘Cincinnati Is a Joke to Pitch In’: A Not-So-Brief Chat With Pete Rose (Grantland)

"On instant replay:I think you should have a guy up there in the booth. Because there’s so many close plays in baseball. You oughta have a guy up there, like a couple years ago when the kid threw the no-hitter, the umpires didn’t go over that guy’s head. [Rose is referring to Armando Galarraga losing a would-be perfect game in 2010 on a blown call by umpire Jim Joyce at first base.] If you had an instant-replay umpire up there, he woulda looked at that in five seconds and said that guy’s out. I don’t want it for every play, but if it’s a big play and it’s close, yes."