FanHouse continues its 2009 MLB Preview with a look at the Colorado Rockies.
The Colorado Rockies have long been one of the strangest paradigms of Major League Baseball. They seem to thrive on their home park of Coors Field, which provides Rockies hitters with seemingly supernatural power abilities. Of course, as always, that power comes with a price -- it's extremely rare to see a Colorado pitcher provide the team with any sort of successful season.
Fantasy baseball draft season is coming, so you best be prepared by delving through every major player on each team. Fantasy FanHouse is here to help with a quick once-over.
Meet the ... Humidor!Seriously, didn't you hear that Colorado now stores their baseballs in a humidor and Coors Field is no longer a hitter's park? If someone in your league really believes that, just let them. You'll know the truth -- which is that Coors Field bore witness to the third most runs scored and third most home runs in baseball last year. In 2007? Third in runs, fifth in home runs. You can't just negate thin air with a cigar-housing device. It's a hitter's park, and it's consistently one of the most hitter-friendly.
While we were all well aware of the fact that the Rockies intended on moving Holliday, the Athletics never seemed like a fit, but it's not the first time Billy Beane has surprised anyone.
What added to the mystery was the fact that nobody was sure what the Rockies were going to get back in return. First reports of the trade had pitcher Greg Smith involved, and now according to SI.com, we may know who the other players who will be having their mail forwarded to Denver are.
Colorado Rockies' All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday has been in trade talks for the past few weeks, but we hadn't exactly heard the Oakland A's were prominently involved in talks.
The A's are closing in on a deal with the Rockies that would send star outfielder Matt Holliday to Oakland from Colorado, SI.com has learned. The players Colorado would receive are not yet known.
It has been known for some time that the Rockies would explore possibilities other than signing him to a massive contract, but this is a shocking development that Billy Beane would trade for a hitter with such terrible splits away from Coors Field, who will also be needing a huge contract quite soon. He's a free agent after 2009, and with the numbers he put up the past few years, he's in a for a significant payday.
Other reports have the deal being finalized within the next 48 hours and including Oakland starting pitcher Greg Smith.
No matter the specific details, it appears Matt Holliday is going to be a member of the Oakland Athletics in 2009.
On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups
I don't know about most of you, but I know that I've grown tired of interleague play in baseball. When MLB implemented it, I loved it and I supported the move as a way to try and bring fans back to the game after the player's strike in 1994.
It's kind of like when you're in a new relationship with a girl and everytime you're hanging up the phone after talking to her you get into that "No I love you more!" debate. It's kind of cute and charming at first, but frankly, after a few months of it you're screaming at her "OKAY I GET IT! YOU LOVE ME MORE! SHUT THE [expletive] UP ABOUT IT ALREADY!"
I've reached that point with interleague play, and I'm ready to get back to some real baseball. Divisional baseball. The games that will actually play a part in deciding who is going to play in October, and who isn't. Three such matchups after the jump.
On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups
Kansas City Royals (35-43) vs. Colorado Rockies (32-46) - 8:10PM Est.
Remember earlier this season when the Diamondbacks started out the season something ridiculous like 20-1, Chase Utley had around 14 home runs in the first week of April, and everyone was saying that the National League had finally caught up to, and passed, the American League as the class of baseball?
You aren't hearing much about that anymore now that interleague play has started are you? That's because the AL is kicking the NL's butt so far this season. Only three teams in the American League have a losing record against the senior circuit right now (Toronto, Cleveland, Cincinnati) while only four National League teams (New York, Atlanta, Colorado, Cincinnati) have a winning record against the AL.
The biggest kick in the stomach for the National League? The Royals are 11-3 against them so far this season. The same Royals team that's 24-40 against it's own league. All of which means that if the Royals haven't contacted Bud Selig and asked about switching leagues yet, they should seriously consider it.
Remember Chris Shelton's beastly start in 2006? Stud or Shelton examines whether currently hot players are having a similar mirage or will continue to play at a high level.
Starting pitching has been relatively topsy-turvy this season. You've got C.C., Bedard, and Verlander collectively sucking. On the other hand, Saunders is tied for the AL lead in wins and Wellemeyer is 7-1. Etc. Etc. Etc.
This is weird, but it's my job to help you sort it out and plan for the rest of the '08 campaign. Let's start with the dude at the right who is throwing a ball at you.
Joe Saunders -- He's 9-2 with a 2.63 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Those numbers alone say "elite starter." He also plays for the team that wins games, so he should keep piling up wins. As for the other numbers, I'd be worried. In 82 innings he's only struck out 39 guys. If you aren't a power pitcher, you can survive on getting the ground ball, it's just that he's not. 1.21 grounders per flies, teamed with his unGodly .238 allowed BABIP. This means that he's received an inexplicable amount of luck in regards to the type of contact being made.
On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups
San Francisco Giants (5-8) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (9-3) - 10:10PM Est.
The Diamondbacks are already playing the best baseball of anybody in the Major Leagues, and tonight they may get another boost. That's right, the mythical creature known as The Big Unit returns to the mound tonight in San Francisco. The 44-year old Randy Johnson is coming off of his second back surgery, but he won't be on a pitch count of any type tonight, and is free to just let it loose. Unit faced the Giants twice last season, not picking up a decision while posting a 3.00ERA, and is 2-2 with a 2.84ERA lifetime at AT&T Park (though he hasn't pitched there since 2004). If Randy is half as good as he used to be, he'll be giving the DBacks a top three in their rotation that can go with anybody else along with Brandon Webb and Dan Haren. Add to that the fact that everybody in the lineup looks like a Hall of Famer so far this season, and it's just not fair. The Giants will counter with Jonathan Sanchez, who pitched well in his last appearance against the Padres (6 innings, no runs, no decision), but is still looking for his first win of the season. He'll also be looking for his first win against the Diamondbacks, as he's 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA in three starts against them.
FanHouse continues its 2009 MLB Preview with a look at the Colorado Rockies.
Fantasy baseball draft season is coming, so you best be prepared by delving through every major player on each team. Fantasy FanHouse is here to help with a quick once-over. 
Yesterday's news that the Colorado Rockies had dealt Matt Holliday to the Oakland Athletics came as a bit of a surprise. 
Colorado Rockies' All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday has been in trade talks for the past few weeks, but we hadn't exactly heard the Oakland A's were prominently involved in talks. 
Remember Chris Shelton's beastly start in 2006? Stud or Shelton examines whether currently hot players are having a similar mirage or will continue to play at a high level. 
