2011 MLB Team Preview: Colorado Rockies
Hard to believe, as some of us still have VERY cold temperatures outside, that the Boys of Summer are almost back. But it’s true; teams have started reporting to 2011 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our team-by-team baseball gambling previews for the year.
SIGN UP TODAY With MySportsbook.com – 10% Sign UP Bonus – 10cent Baseball Lines – Gamble On 2011 MLB Future Odds and 2011 World Series Championship Lines
Rockies Calender
FEB. 1-18, 2011 – Salary arbitration hearings
FEB. 14, 2011 – Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players
FEB. 19, 2011 – Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for non-pitchers and catchers
FEB. 26, 2011 – Mandatory Spring Training reporting date for all players
The Colorado Rockies are consistently one of the tougher teams to figure out in MLB betting. They have tons of talented players but tons of holes. They have a great hitter’s park but a park that punishes pitchers. They enjoy dominant winning streaks but also ugly slumps every year. Can they correct their Jekyll-and-Hyde ways and make a run at the National League West title this season?
COLORADO ROCKIES
World Series odds: +2500
The Rockies didn’t make too many moves this past offseason. Instead, they’re hoping to improve from within. They have several youngsters they hope can finally become useful everyday players this year.
Dexter Fowler is one of them. The rangy, speedy centerfielder will get his crack at the starting job and, probably, the leadoff spot. Third baseman Ian Stewart will get a chance to distance himself from the pack, too. Same goes for inconsistent catcher Chris Iannetta. All three have enjoyed blue-chip prospect status over the last few seasons but none of them has evolved into an above-average major leaguer yet.
If they do, Colorado will have some nice protection for its two superstars. Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are both legitimate MVP (and Triple Crown) threats. Tulowitzki just has to prove he can stay healthy for a full season; CarGo has to prove he isn’t a one-year wonder after his absurd 2011 line of .336, 34 homers and 117 RBI. For extra support, Colorado brought in vets Jose Lopez and Ty Wigginton. Both guys have 20-homer pop that could be enhanced at Coors Field. 
The Rockies’ rotation is like the lineup in that it has superstar talent at the top and several young guns hoping to make a big leap. Top starter Ubaldo Jimenez’s raw ability is almost peerless in the majors. His no-hitter last season surprised pretty much no-one. He’ll be an All-Star-caliber talent for years to come and the sky’s the limit if he can keep his walks down.
Unfortunately for Colorado, Jimenez is the only sure thing on its staff. Jorge De La Rosa is a strikeout machine but struggles with free passes and inconsistency. Jhoulys Chacin is yet another guy fitting the same bill as Jimenez and De La Rosa, high on strikeout ability but prone to walks. He was great as a rookie last season but the sample size is still small, with 148.1 career innings to his name.
If the Rockies’ starters take leads into the late innings, this team is in decent shape. Huston Street is an effective if injury-prone closer and has a reliable, veteran group joining him that includes Rafael Betancourt and Matt Lindstrom.
2011 OUTLOOK
Colorado has as much upside as any team in the National League West. If the breaks go their way and their youngsters deliver, they can win the division. But I like the more predictable Giants as the play, with Colorado more likely to be a team battling for the Wild Card in 2011.
Prediction: 2nd, National League West
