hi guys, giants fan here. I have not posted on your board before and I wanted to know what your thoughts are on this bizarre 4 man rotation strategy that surprisingly is still being employed. I thought it was ridiculous when they initiated it and that it would last about two weeks before they switched back to a 5 man rotation. obviously I was wrong.

How long are they planning on doing this? what is the point of this? Is it to preserve the pitchers arms for the rest of the season since they are out of the running? I just don't get it.

"How long are they planning on doing this? what is the point of this?"
Frankly, I'm not sure.

I think long term it will only weaken our pitchers arms. Both in velocity and control. I hope for the future of our young pitchers that it is dropped before this off-season.

I expect them to carry it into next season unless wither Tracy or O'Dowd are fired. Otherwise them changing would be an admittance of stupidity.

But lets look at this for what it really is: The Rockies are essentially now too cheap to pay for 5 starters lol. They're gonna try and get away paying for just 4 and filling in with cheap bullpen arms.

god i hope not. the problem with that is they are stunting the development of your young arms, like pomeranz. and none of your starters will be able to qualify for a win unless they are super efficient. hope this changes. terrible to see.

And NOOOOO self respecting free-agent starter will wanna come play for a team who essentially prevents them from getting W's by a severe pitch limit.

This article outlines O'Dowd's "brain child" nicely. Makes me feel sorry for Tracy.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rockies--pitching-strategy-is-historically-wacky--and-not-working-.html

Interesting article. limiting them to about 75 pitches just to get them to focus on getting first pitch strikes and getting ahead of the count/being more efficient is like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly. I would think proper coaching and development should be more than sufficient. i gotta believe that the starters leave the mound feeling like they have unfinished business or that they didn't complete their job. But hey, what do I know? They just won two in a row against the dodgers. C'mon sweep!

It is comforting to know their are other people out there that see O'Dowd and his shortcomings.

It makes no sense to keep this up .... it gives the aroma of failure thereby causing others to get that feeling .

It shows in their faces ... they are not playing hard .. they are not having fun.

At this point the leaders of the team need to take up the challenge and say "hey we are not going to any post season.. lets have some fun .. play hard .. try different things."

The lineup should be filled with prospects and people who care about winning..... If they going through the motion sit them down.

Its just so sad our managers and owners dont care enough to try some combinations...

Think of it who on the team comes to play each and every inning name them?

I can name 2

EY JR
Rutledge

Maybe Rosario

Cargo, without a doubt. He shows up every day and is still putting up MVP type numbers. AND he has already gotten paid. He is so head and shoulders above everyone else he is expected by the fans to go 4-4 every game and is complained about (on this board) when he has a bad day. The only rival offensively he has is Tulo when he is healthy. Bottom line right now Cargo IS the Rockies. Watch espn hi-lites and if there is one from the Rox, more often than not, it is Cargo. Can you imagine being in his shoes and feel like an eagle trying to soar with a bunch of turkeys?

Once Chacin is back will the Rox dump the stupid 4 man rotation? Please? Any one?

I agree w/ you, Tulofan, about Cargo. He, Rutledge, Rosario, Pacheco, & Colvin are the only reason to watch, butCarGo is head & shoulders above the rest.

DLR might make it bACK by mid-Sep., so will the FO PLEASE DROP THE FOUR MAN ROTATION?

I wouldn't hold my breath for them to end the 4 man rotation. Remember DLR hasn't pitched in what??? over a year? And he is coming off surgery? He will definately be on a pitch count also. I would look for them to keep the 4 man and move the least performing to the bull pen. This late in the season I wouldn't expect a lot out of DLR and I would use him sparingly (as I am sure Tracy will) if it were my call. JMO.

Is there anyone using this message board that thinks the Rox can attract a 'real' frontline pitcher? It's my guess that ANY pitcher worth his salt looks at Denver as anathama to his career. The Rox don't have enough $$$ to entice any pitchers other than minors coming up that don't know any better, or the likes of the "has-beens" that we see go through after an attempt at resurrection...ie Marquis.

Subsequently, in MHBFWDAO, The Rox need to go back to being the 'bombers' of old...the era of Walker, Vinny, and the Big Cat. They'll never keep any outstanding pitching, so this team should be about out-scoring the opposition. But it's unfortunate they are in the NL where they have to bat that weak athlete that's doing the pitching. As an AL team they could have a big bat in the lineup daily, enjoying 4 ABs, rather than as a occasional one-time pinch hitter. Why do you think the likes of Albert and Prince left the NL for the AL, and were able to sign long term contracts. Neither of them will fullfill those contracts in the field, but they will at the plate...much like a Jim Tome and Big Papi.

The Rockies should be attracting all kinds of BIG bats, but as long as they are in the NL they won't. The price of being a "purist". But as fewer and fewer 'hitting' pitchers are being graduated from the lower ranks, (hellsbells, most of these 'throwers' can't even bunt) the NL will continue to have more pressure put on it to join the AL and allow the pitchers to pitch and use real hitters in the daily lineups.

I couldn't give a FRA about how well a manager 'manages' his players as he juggles his replacements. When did anyone, except the less than 1% that claim to be 'purists', rave about how well the manager handled the double switch etc. Or who pays to watch that manager do his thing?

It's doubtful I'll be around to witness the change, but as the ticket prices continue to rise, the fans will eventually demand to see 'total' professionalism...a team being the 'best' they can be, not with some AAA pitcher that can't hit his hat size taking up a spot in the batting lineup.