Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Rockies Wednesday 8/4 game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2021-08-05T10:00:00-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/223739672021-08-05T10:00:00-05:002021-08-05T10:00:00-05:002021 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 109
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tAbkZYNGqSfMpbMNZcn8BVgn8w8=/0x199:4134x2955/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69682879/usa_today_16512493.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Cubs win a well-played game in Colorado</p> <p id="9seoc2">Certainly, on a day like Sunday when Rafael Ortega was having the absolute game of his life, you think that this season isn’t totally miserable for everyone involved with the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>. For Ortega, he is for the first time getting a chance to play and to show what he can do at the major league level. Is he a guy who is going to be a star? No. But is he a guy who can maybe contribute to a team? It seems like that answer is yes. Granted, we are still in a pretty small sample size for him. </p>
<p id="bYkyUV">But, there is another guy who is having an even more extended look at the major league level for the fist time. I am, of course, talking about Patrick Wisdom. Patrick was once a bit of a heralded prospect, but he never really got his chance for any extended period until this year. But boy, has he made the most of it this year. With three hits and three RBI last night, he now has a line of .278/.342/.585 with 16 homers and 32 RBI. That’s good for a 144 wRC+. This comes in 194 plate appearances. So we’re beyond small sample size at least. </p>
<p id="Dbg0Uf">We are talking about a guy who is going to receive Rookie of the Year votes. Certainly on a team well out of contention, he doesn’t have a compelling narrative like some of the other players have. He also got a late start and doesn’t have quite the volume of work that some of the others do. But, he leads all NL rookies in homers and OPS. </p>
<p id="3DVj7X">Surely, this is all bittersweet. No one wants to have their big moment come in a vacuum. Surely, he’d have loved for the Cubs hot streak of May to have rolled right on through the season, just with him being a part of it. What’s better than dreaming of being a big league star? Dreaming of being a big league star on a winning team.You can’t always get what you want, but this is the season he needed for sure. </p>
<p id="xP03E8">As much as I loved Kris Bryant, a player who was basically groomed his whole life for success and then just burst onto the scene as a star, I’m a sucker for the guys who is was harder for. We’ve gotten so many of them in recent years. Guys like Dillon Maples and Tommy Nance and Patrick Wisdom. People who fought through so much adversity. Guys who had people around them wondering if it was time to move on from this dream. In some instances, guys who themselves thought it was time to move on and had to be talked out of it. What tremendous joy and gratification has to come from finally standing out on the field and having real, honest to goodness major league success. </p>
<p id="lg7cpX">Let’s go to the numbers from last night’s game. As you’ll recall, the Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA (Win Probability Added) and are not in any way subjective. Many days WPA will not tell the story of what happened, but often it can give at least a glimpse to who rose to the occasion in a high-leverage moment or who didn’t get the job done in that moment. And now, let’s get to the results.</p>
<p id="KDojEz"><strong>Game 109, August 4: </strong>Cubs 3, Rockies 2 (52-57)</p>
<div id="L66bsI">
<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=wins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2021-08-04&team=Rockies&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width="450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2021-08-04&team=Rockies&dh=0&season=2021">FanGraphs</a></span>
</div>
<p id="x7xAkM"><strong>THREE HEROES:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="MpADrx">
<strong>Superhero: </strong>Patrick Wisdom (.325). 3-4, 2B, 3RBI</li>
<li id="LFRidj">
<strong>Hero: </strong>Manny Rodriguez (.250). IP (4 batters faced), H, K (SV 1)</li>
<li id="ZBQash">
<strong>Sidekick: </strong>Alec Mills (.188). 6IP (25 batters faced), 8H, 2BB, 2R, 3K, WP (W 5-4)</li>
</ul>
<p id="zdm5rT"><strong>THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="USorr2">
<strong>Billy Goat: </strong>Sergio Alcantara (-.153). 0-4</li>
<li id="PYZbmt">
<strong>Goat: </strong>Johneshwy Fargas (-.098). 2-4, K, CS</li>
<li id="wUTFPp">
<strong>Kid: </strong>Rafael Ortega (-.069). 1-5, R, 3K</li>
</ul>
<p id="Ox1hK1">*This is the eighth consecutive day for Oretega on one of the podiums (2 Superhero, Hero, 2 Sidekick, Goat, 2 Kid)</p>
<p id="wBLzwC"><strong>WPA Play of the Game: </strong>Patrick Wisdom batted with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth inning, the Cubs trailing by two. Patrick did not let the scoring opportunity go to waste. He launched one deep that didn’t quite get out of the park, but it was enough to score three and give the Cubs the lead. (.290)</p>
<p id="EafBJP">*Rockies Play of the Game: Brendan Rodgers led off the eighth inning with a single with the Rockies trailing by one against Codi Heuer. (.093)</p>
<div id="QWZE15"><div data-anthem-component="poll:10687113"></div></div>
<p id="brhQQr"><strong>Rizzo Award Cumulative Standings: </strong>(Top 3/Bottom 3)</p>
<ul>
<li id="uUsL7u">Kris Bryant +26</li>
<li id="pqXnM1">Craig Kimbrel +20</li>
<li id="cgnscA">Patrick Wisdom +18</li>
<li id="oM2gfr">Rex Brothers -13.5</li>
<li id="oQBxEi">Jake Arrieta -14</li>
<li id="GU8Hse">Ian Happ -17</li>
</ul>
<p id="25ieW8"><strong>Up Next: </strong>The third and final game of the series is this afternoon in Colorado. The Cubs will send Jake Arrieta to the mound. Jake is 5-10 with a 6.20 ERA. This season has largely been a nightmare for Jake, particularly on the road. He’ll face Antonio Sentzatela, who surely isn’t loving this year either. Anthony is 2-8 with a 4.58 ERA. </p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/8/5/22611028/2021-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-109Thomas Smith2021-08-05T08:00:00-05:002021-08-05T08:00:00-05:00Cubs 3, Rockies 2: A most unusual Coors Field win
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ro5bKuzOrlJXZsfyFv9YlBrx3L0=/343x272:4897x3308/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69682295/usa_today_16512587.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There had only been one like it previously in Cubs history.</p> <p id="VAKHPi">I’ll get right to it so you’re not left wondering what the headline means.</p>
<p id="bfX8FW"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-rockies/2021/08/04/633060#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=633060">The Cubs defeated the Rockies 3-2</a> Wednesday evening at Coors Field. It was the 38th time a Cubs team had won in that venue — but just the second that any Cubs team had defeated the Rockies at Coors Field scoring three or fewer runs. The other? <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/COL/COL201307190.shtml">July 19, 2013</a>, and that was almost as anonymous a Cubs bunch as the current squad. I actually encourage you to click on that boxscore link because there were more current Cubs on that 2013 Rockies team (one) than there were on the Cubs club that won the game Wednesday night.</p>
<p id="gfzjbj">Trivia, I know, but what else do we have right now? There are a few things, dear reader, and I shall tell you about them.</p>
<p id="o2a8Fp">This game did have quite a few positives, but it did not start out that way. Alec Mills had a shaky first inning, allowing back-to-back doubles for a Rockies run on just four pitches. Nine more pitches and two outs later, Colorado had another run and this did not look like a good day for our favorite team.</p>
<p id="3FJnE2">But give Mills credit. He settled down and threw five more innings and allowed six more hits and two walks, but no further runs. It actually turned into a good outing, a quality start, and his longest outing on the road this year. Mills has been much better as a starter than in relief this year. In 10 starts in 2021 he now has a 3.62 ERA and 1.329 WHIP in 49⅔ innings. That’s not Cy Young quality, obviously, but that’d play in just about anyone’s rotation.</p>
<p id="V2M22N">Meanwhile, the Cubs were being stymied by Jon Gray, who shut them out for four innings. In the bottom of the fourth, though, the Cubs turned an unexpected and well-executed double play. Ryan McMahon had led off the inning with a double, and then Elias Diaz hit a fly ball to medium-deep left field. McMahon tried to take third.</p>
<p id="4xSG96"><a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-08/04/9263f520-71eb251a-81d9560f-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Johneshwy Fargas said, “No you don’t!” [VIDEO]</a></p>
<div id="X9avfJ">
<div><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2021%2F2021-08%2F04%2F9263f520-71eb251a-81d9560f-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"></iframe></div></div>
<script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="2rN4cE"></p>
<p id="4KBJ2l">That was a heck of a throw. Good for Fargas, who is trying to make his case to stick with the Cubs, probably as a fourth or fifth outfielder in 2022.</p>
<p id="Yjb6YJ">In the fifth, the first two Cubs were routine outs. Rafael Ortega and Willson Contreras singled, and then Ian Happ walked to load the bases.</p>
<p id="KRmKbE"><a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-08/04/feb9af4d-31779102-5014c27e-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Patrick Wisdom promptly unloaded them [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="suRRNE">
<div><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2021%2F2021-08%2F04%2Ffeb9af4d-31779102-5014c27e-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"></iframe></div></div>
<script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="wbH9AJ"></p>
<p id="iPBPJi">Rockies left fielder Raimel Tapia couldn’t hold on to Wisdom’s drive, which resulted in a three-run double — and it didn’t miss being a grand slam by much.</p>
<p id="ckx7FX">Wisdom wound up 3-for-4 in the game and over his last nine games is hitting .400/.472/.667 (12-for-30) with two doubles, two home runs, five walks and seven RBI. Yes, he still strikes out a lot (eight Ks in the nine games) but with that sort of production I think the Cubs can live with the strikeouts.</p>
<p id="IqcPZR">And beginning in the seventh inning of this game, the revamped Cubs bullpen did its job, throwing three shutout innings and allowing no runs on two hits with two strikeouts. Adam Morgan, Codi Heuer and Manuel Rodriguez looked really good in a tough environment for pitchers, and Rodriguez posted his first career save, just two days before his 25th birthday.</p>
<p id="fWnGSq"><a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-08/04/cb70e04e-8f17cdb2-238b366c-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Here are all three outs Rodriguez recorded [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="Odgkm4">
<div><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2021%2F2021-08%2F04%2Fcb70e04e-8f17cdb2-238b366c-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"></iframe></div></div>
<script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="KcQC6O"></p>
<p id="mGDVNY">You’ll notice he threw the ball from the first out to first base even though he didn’t have to — he caught a line drive. More important is that he touched 99 miles per hour on several pitches. He was a bit wild on a couple of them, but to me it looks like Rodriguez is the sort of pitcher who could thrive on closing situations. He’ll certainly be given more opportunities if they arise.</p>
<p id="szAZw8">The Cubs will go for a series win Thursday afternoon at Coors Field. That would be significant. The 2021 Cubs have won only one road series since June 9 — that was the set where they took two of three at Arizona last month. Only three visiting teams have won a series in Coors Field this year, the Dodgers, Athletics and Mets, and all of those are contending teams. This version of the Cubs... isn’t, so that would be an accomplishment.</p>
<p id="SnKsQu">Jake Arrieta will start for the Cubs in the series finale. Antonio Senzatela is the scheduled starter for the Rockies. Game time is 2:10 p.m. CT and TV coverage is via Marquee Sports Network.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/8/5/22610960/cubs-rockies-recap-patrick-wisdom-alec-mills-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2021-08-04T21:10:00-05:002021-08-04T21:10:00-05:00Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Rockies, Wednesday 8/4, 7:40 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5s4-8PCjSVzxXCrDbt6yQbyyQsc=/0x0:4772x3181/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69680990/1234460483.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="E3uUZb">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/8/4/22609925/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-rockies-wednesday-8-4-7-40-ctAl Yellon2021-08-04T19:35:00-05:002021-08-04T19:35:00-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Rockies, Wednesday 8/4, 7:40 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sEujxb5RDwD-HecNcUJcEQ6KS98=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69680716/1272347743.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="E3uUZb">Go get ‘em, Alec.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/8/4/22609922/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-rockies-wednesday-8-4-7-40-ctAl Yellon2021-08-04T17:30:00-05:002021-08-04T17:30:00-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies preview, Wednesday 8/4, 7:40 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sPKJ0Neyl_SzdqFYQeSUDoqC0Dc=/224x150:5362x3575/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69680247/1234460736.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cubs look to even up their set against the Rox.</p> <p id="RdHxK4">Wednesday notes...</p>
<ul>
<li id="Idrn5k">
<strong>FALLING DOWN:</strong> The <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> are a season-low six games under .500 at 51-57, marking the first time the team has been at least six games under since finishing the 2014 campaign 16 games under .500 at 73-89. </li>
<li id="QKs22X">
<strong>NO TROUBLE AT THE MILLS, THAT’S ALL:</strong> Alec Mills tonight looks to become the first Cubs right-handed pitcher to make 10 straight starts in a single season with three or fewer earned runs and two or fewer walks since Jake Arrieta closed out his 2015 campaign with 11 consecutive such outings. More on Mills below.</li>
<li id="fQB7qU">
<strong>NUGGET OF WISDOM:</strong> Patrick Wisdom’s 16 home runs lead NL rookies and are tied for fourth-most among all rookies. Adolis Garcia leads with 23 home runs while Detroit’s Eric Haase and Ryan Mountcastle are tied for second with 18 each. Wisdom’s .909 OPS leads all rookies (min. 150 PA).</li>
<li id="XTAwp0">
<strong>STRIKE FORCE:</strong> Cubs relievers rank third in MLB in strikeout percentage at 27.6 (488 K, 1788 batters faced), behind the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> at 27.9 and Cleveland, 27.8. (Yes, I know most of those relievers are gone now.) </li>
</ul>
<p id="yyq6TO">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="pIPD1J"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/chicago-cubs"></a><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="9RXrxO">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> starting lineup. <a href="https://t.co/9PtKyCtlyw">pic.twitter.com/9PtKyCtlyw</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1423034429132378114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="OqWlTr">The <a href="https://www.purplerow.com">Rockies</a> lineup was not available at posting time. Please check <a href="https://twitter.com/bleedcubbieblue">the BCB Twitter feed</a> for the Rockies lineup.</p>
<h2 id="GgR9hc">Alec Mills, RHP vs. Jon Gray, RHP</h2>
<div class="c-float-left"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Jf5a3T0LFWBJQLoUYkmSsCg9F_s=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22659896/usa_today_15750013.jpg">
<cite>USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lKLEB4v1b3u2dqjw_5YaWen884U=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22755847/usa_today_15780210.jpg">
<cite>USA TODAY NETWORK</cite>
</figure>
</div>
<p id="1Eaqrg">This is Alec Mills’ first-ever start against the Rockies. Thus it’s his first-ever start in Coors Field, and Mills has a 5.93 ERA in 30⅓ road innings this year as opposed to a 3.27 home ERA in 33 innings — although he’s allowed three HR on the road compared to four at Wrigley and the opposition’s SLG is about the same (.421 home, .415 road).</p>
<p id="iM5sJP">So maybe the unfamiliarity with Rox hitters helps Mills, or maybe they just unload on him. Your guess is as good as mine.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BQRE3TggnVBmD4PND-4lEcZGgVc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22761616/Screen_Shot_2021_08_04_at_1.48.21_PM.png">
<cite><a class="ql-link" href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/pitchmix#621219_2021" target="_blank">Statcast</a></cite>
</figure>
<p id="EjZ3c4">Jon Gray is having a pretty good year. All things considered, it could wind up as the best of his career, and he made it clear he wanted to stay in Colorado, which is why the Rockies didn’t try to trade him at the deadline.</p>
<p id="LihNHG">Over his last seven starts: 2.61 ERA, 1.140 WHIP, just five home runs in 40⅓ innings.</p>
<p id="runC4I">No current Cub has more than five career AB vs. Gray (Jason Heyward is the only one with that many, 1-for-5).</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sIsM_M1tJhuPck9mCp-K9-KG82k=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22761619/Screen_Shot_2021_08_04_at_1.49.03_PM.png">
<cite><a class="ql-link" href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/pitchmix#592351_2021" target="_blank">Statcast</a></cite>
</figure>
<p id="IQ5Mkn">Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. <a href="https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/providers/">Here’s a list of providers currently carrying Marquee<strong>.</strong></a> </p>
<p id="6w2xna"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2021/08/04">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p id="Xe5URc"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2021_08_04_chnmlb_colmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2021/COL202108040.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="7oSHCm">Please visit our SB Nation Rockies site <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>. If you do go there to interact with Rockies fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p id="mRtOMf">The 2021 Game Thread procedure will be a bit different than previous years. It will be similar to what we’ve used for Spring Training.</p>
<p id="uNrOo7">You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).</p>
<p id="Jy7Er2">At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.</p>
<p id="F5ehVY">You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads">this section link</a>). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.</p>
<p id="pjBR1E">The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p id="cWIBoH">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
<p id="XwbQDp"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/8/4/22605607/chicago-cubs-colorado-rockies-preview-wednesdayAl Yellon