The Colorado Rockies won 9 of their last 10 games of the season to force a one game playoff tonight against the Padres.  The pitching matchup does not appear to favor the Rockies in this game as they are pitching Josh Fogg against Jake Peavy.  Fogg was 10-9 with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in 29 games (28 starts) this season for the Rockies.  In 3 starts against the Padres this season, Fogg is 1-1 with a 6.28 ERA and a 2.16 WHIP.  Peavy has started 2 games this season against the Rockies and he is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA.  Peavy won pitching’s triple crown as he led the league in ERA (2.36), wins (19) and strikeouts (234).

It will be fun to watch Matt Holliday try to lock up the batting title today as he is sitting at .340.  Chipper Jones is behind him at .337 and Holliday will win the batting title as long as he doesn’t go 0 for 5 or worse tonight.  He also is only one RBI behind Ryan Howard (136-135) going into tonight’s ballgame.

The Rockies have won an amazing 11 games in a row which has pulled them only 1 game behind the Padres for the Wild Card and 2 games behind the D-Backs for the N.L. West lead.  The Rockies will host the D-Backs this weekend so they hold fate in their own hands.  Brad Hawpe has been a big key in the surge as he is 12 for his last 26 (.462 avg) with 4 runs scored, 3 homers and 10 RBIs.  Todd Helton has also been swinging a hot stick as he is 10 for his last 28 (.357 avg) with 1 homer and 7 RBIs.

Jeff Francis has really turned in a good season for the Rockies as he is the only pitcher on the team with more than 10 wins.  Francis has started 32 games this season and he is 16-8 with a 4.25 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.  He has now worked 201.1 innings this season and he has allowed 220 hits, walked 60 batters and whiffed 152.  The Rockies are still alive for the playoffs but it will be an uphill battle.  They are now 79-72 which has them tied for 3rd in the National League West, 5.5 games behind the D-Backs.  The Rockies are also 4.5 games behind the Padres for the Wild Card.

It won’t be easy but the Rockies still have a chance to make the playoffs.  They are now 75-69 on the season which has them tied with the Dodgers for 3rd place in the National League West, 6 games behind the Diamondbacks.  The better chance for the Rockies is the Wild Card.  They are only 3.5 games behind the Padres with 18 games left.  It can be done.

The Colorado Rockies have the best team they have had in a long, long time.  They are in 4th place in the National League West with a 71-66 record which has them 5 games behind the Padres.  The Rockies are also 4th in the Wild Card Hunt 4 games behind the Diamondbacks.  OF Matt Holliday is one of the best players in the game as he is hitting .335 with 92 runs scored, 25 homers and 109 RBIs this year.  Brad Hawpe has also stepped up his game as he is hitting .284 with 25 homers and 93 RBIs this season.  Rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has also been outstanding with the bat this year as he is hitting .288 with 78 runs scored, 18 homers and 75 RBIs.  Starting pitcher Jeff Francis has been outstanding this season as he is 15-6 with a 4.12 ERA.  Reliever Manny Corpas has also been outstanding filling in as a closer with Brian Fuentes injured.  Corpas is 3-2 with 13 saves and a 1.99 ERA this season.