What the Rockies need, and don’t need, from Jorge De La Rosa

The Colorado Rockies need Jorge De La Rosa.

Having followed up a thrilling victory on Tuesday night with a real stink-pot of a loss on Wednesday night in their key home series against the first place San Francisco Giants, the Rockies need to win this rubber game. To do so, they need De La Rosa to pitch like the key player he has been for this team for the last number of seasons.

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In oversimplified and wonderfully visual terms, here are examples of what the Rockies need and what they do not need from De La Rosa against the Giants Thursday afternoon.

What they do need – good pitches

Seems simple, right? It is. When De La Rosa is right he has wipe-out stuff. Given the fact that his opponent is the stellar veteran Tim Hudson, De La Rosa needs to bring his ‘A’ game.

I’ll have a jumbo order of those sliders for swinging strikes, please.

What they don’t need – a meltdown

We know by now that Jorge can get a bit emotional from time to time. That has caused some meltdowns and short outings in the past, including this season.

With this series against the Giants already charged by the accusations of Mike Krukow that Troy Tulowitzki has been stealing signs, the Rockies need the level-headed De La Rosa on Thursday.

So, not this. Whether it is directed at the umpire, a coach, his catcher, or himself…nothing like this:

If De La Rosa can come through for the Rockies it will give them a chance to win a key series, at home, before they hit the road for a miserable east coast road trip.