Throughout the past 23 days, there was a feeling that somebody would pinch the Rockies. They would wake up with pixie dust on their pillows, smiles on their faces and have a wonderful story about how they nearly pulled off one of the greatest finishes in major-league history.
But somewhere in the delirious weeks leading up to the National League Championship Series that begins Thursday in Phoenix, the Rockies were touched by a blend of talent and permanent magic.
Of course, the national hook is that the Rockies are Cinderfellas waiting for the valet to bring back a pumpkin. Problem is, that story doesn’t jibe. The Rockies show up dressed in black, shred their opponents’ boutonnières, pour fruit punch over their heads and send them the dry-cleaning bill for wiping tears on their lapel.
The Rockies have won 17 of their past 18 games, outscoring foes 118-59. They got out of bed Sunday with sweep dreams, having easily dispatched the Phillies. This streak has to end sometime, right?
“Maybe in November,” said manager Clint Hurdle as he celebrated in the Coors Field clubhouse that now reeks of champagne, sport’s best cologne.
Fresh off winning their first playoff series in their 15-year history, the Rockies are favored to represent the National League in the World Series. They don’t own homefield advantage, but they possess nerves of titanium, confidence and a bullpen that appears impenetrable.
“I don’t know if anybody is excited about us facing Arizona. But we both fought our way here and we are going to enjoy this,” shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. “Hopefully we have two more celebrations, because this never gets old.”
The postseason is about matchups, and given the appetite for all things Rockies these days, it’s never too early to analyze what Colorado needs to do to advance to the World Series:
1. Starts with starters. The Rockies have handled Game 1 starter Brandon Webb like a baby this year, save for his last appearance 10 days ago. Webb was throwing a bowling ball disguised as a sinker, getting 18-of-21 outs on groundballs. Still, he’s 1-3 with a 5.77 ERA against the Rockies, compared to 17-7 and 2.46 against everyone else this season. There’s no shame in dropping a game to Webb. The key is pounding those who follow him. The Rockies have had their way with Doug Davis and Edgar Gonzalez, but have not solved the puzzle that is Livan Hernandez. He posted a 1.54 ERA against the Rockies and owns a 7-2 playoff record. He looms as the swing pitcher in this series.
2. Don’t lose groove. The worst thing for a hot team is an interruption. The Rockies will go four days between games for the first time all season. Where that usually shows up is in hitters’ timing. It could affect streaky bats like Kazuo Matsui and Brad Hawpe, which would sting because both wore out the Snakes this season. Hawpe had 18 RBIs in 17 games against Arizona, including a two-homer game against Webb. If there is a soothing balm, it’s the Rockies’ defense. A layoff can undermine fundamentals – see the Detroit Tigers in last year’s World Series – but the Rockies were the best fielding team in the big leagues due in large part to Tulowitzki (only 11 errors).
3. Stars must be stars: Everyone appreciates the beauty of anonymity, when a reserve comes through in a big win. In this series, the Rockies need their marquee players to shine like stars. Todd Helton, who had just one hit against the Phillies, batted .375 against Arizona and essentially revived his season by going 6-for-11 at Chase Field at the end of August. Matt Holliday had 39 total bases versus Arizona, including two home runs. Tulowitzki, who has a knack for responding to challenges, had issues against the Diamondbacks, hitting just .209.
4. Get breathing room. It’s become a cottage industry, dissing the Diamondbacks for making the playoffs despite being outscored this season. It defies logic, but it isn’t an indictment. The postseason always comes down to pitching, and the Diamondbacks do that as well as anyone. That explains why they are 32-20 in one-run games. By comparison, the Rockies are 9-17 in one-run road games. Translation: have room to exhale when the ninth inning arrives. The Diamondbacks’ mauling of the Cubs mirrored the Rockies’ trampling of the Phillies. The Cubs hit .194, the Phillies .172. The Rockies’ bullpen allowed one run in 11 2/3 innings. The Diamondbacks’ relievers had a 0.00 ERA.
5. Live in the clutch. The Rockies won the season-series 10-8, and the average score in those games was 5-4. So that means there are going to be a handful of huge moments with runners on base. The outcome of the series could rest here, on which pitchers flinch, which batters glow. The Diamondbacks held the Cubs to four hits in 49 at-bats with runners on any base. The Phillies had two meaningful hits against the Rockies in three games – home runs by Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino. If there is a Rockies edge, it’s their ability to handle left-handers, particularly late in the game with Brian Fuentes and Manny Corpas. Left-handed hitter Stephen Drew is the Diamondbacks’ hottest hitter, but he batted just .231 against the Rockies this season.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
