Roy Oswalt Tracker — 5/20/2013

Happy Monday morning Rockies fans! This is a great Monday morning and there is no one that could talk us out of it, right? Coming off a series win against the almighty San Francisco Giants, the Rockies sit at 24 – 20 and are just one game back of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the NL West lead. Guess what? The Rockies start a three game set vs the DBacks tonight at Coors Field.

Perhaps most interesting about the Rockies season so far has been the pitching. It has not been spectacular, by any stretch of the imagination. However it has been pretty average, settling in at 14th best in the MLB in ERA and has given the Rockies a 6.2 WAR rating — 7th best in the MLB. They have done just enough to be relevant, and that is all the Rockies could ask for this year. The fact that Tyler Chatwood looks to be solidifying his position in the rotation is gravy and Juan Nicasio pitching a 6 inning shutout yesterday vs the Giants is a cherry on top, never mind that I called for his head last week. What? You don’t like cherries on top of your gravy? Well then maybe you will enjoy this.

Aug 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Roy Oswalt (44) throws during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY SportsRoy Oswalt continues to get into game shape as he trudges through extended spring training in Arizona. Statistics for the outings, or any info on the All-Star pitcher for that matter, have been hard to come by but this morning there was a blurb on MLB.com. Oswalt commanded a group of Brewers prospects to the tune of 9 strikeouts in 5 innings and only allowed a leadoff bunt single on Saturday night. A LEADOFF BUNT SINGLE! Are you kidding me, that’s it?? Sounds like the 35-year-old rightie is quickly getting back into a groove. He has made 3 starts in extended spring games and now looks to head to Tulsa to join the Rockies AA affiliate for a few starts. Oswalt’s first start for the Drillers will be this coming Friday and he will be limited to 75 pitches. If any of you diehards are interested in listening to his start, The Buzz Sports Radio AM 1300/AM 1430 in Tulsa should have the game streaming online.

This all is fantastic news for the Rockies and Rockies fans. The fact that the Rox were able to sign Oswalt is significant in itself. What is even better is that Oswalt seems to be in control of his game already and, barring anything tragic, should be ready to join the Rockies rotation in another 20-25 days. If that were to happen and the former Cy Young candidate can get anywhere close to his usual self… the Rockies would have a gem to insert into their rotation for the last 3+ months of the season. Right now it would appear that Oswalt would be in line to start during the Washington Nationals visit to Coors in mid-June.

Keep visiting the RoxPile for all Roy Oswalt news and analysis!