Rox Talk

The Week That Was

A 5-1 week against the Braves and Dodgers. The Rox currently stand at 68-61. Eight games back from division leading San Diego in third place and four and half games behind in the Wild Card chase. Currently 43-21 at home and 25-40 on the road, the Rox have outscored its opponents 605-564 (expected wins is 69 versus historical wins at 61). On pace for 85 wins with 760 runs scored and 708 runs against. Playoff indicator (Runs scored/Runs Against ratio) is 1.07 (>1.16 indicates high playoff potential).

What to make of this team? Just when I've given up, just when I think they are done (lose two to Arizona), they claw back into it (sweep the Braves, two of three against Dodgers). I mean since the All Star Break they took a nose dive (see graph above), then become a see-saw (win one, lose one), and then have a marvelous homestand. Couple of weeks ago I moaned about the killer schedule the Rox had to face down the stretch. What I didn't consider was maybe this was a benefit. As of August 7th, Rox were 26 - 26 against teams with a losing record (thanks to TroyRenck's twitter for that piece of info). Maybe Rox just play to their competition. If that is the case, then our Rox are going to be on fire the rest of the way. This week will certainly define September as our Rox stop in San Fran for three, come home for one against the Phillies, and then finish the week in San Diego.

Who knows but at the end of this week Rox could move ahead of Giants, Cards, and Phillies and find themselves leading the Wild Card. Maybe 2010 won't be a footnote but something special. I know this, if Rox do make the playoffs, CarGo should be a huge MVP favorite.

Seventh Inning

With 126 games in the books, we have completed the 7th 18 game stretch. CarGo made his presence felt in a huge way. Rox starter's have come back to Earth. They have really struggled since the All Star break. Jimenez has really struggled and has unable to win number 18. He will really struggle to get to 20 at this rate. Real question is will our bullpen's arms fall off if we do in fact make the playoffs?