Jeff Francis News

In the final year of his contract, Dan O'Dowd enjoyed his finest year as the Rockies' GM.

Chris Iannetta If you had to pick just one player who must improve in order for the Rockies to win the National League West in 2010, whom would you choose? Perhaps a healthy Jeff Francis, winning at least 15 games and filling the void of the departing Jason Marquis? Maybe Dexter Fowler, striking out less, showing a little more power and building on ...

Chase Utley, the slugger of few words, was also a man of little contact against Andy Pettitte.

After covering a tremendous distance in 2009 -- from 18-28 to the National League Wild Card -- the Rockies find themselves trying to figure out how to take the next difficult step.

And the Rockies ' right-hander is still growing. Not physiologically, but psychologically and athletically, as he evolves into a successful major-league starter.

The last time the two clubs met in a National League division series - their second square-off begins tomorrow afternoon at Citizens Bank Park - the Phillies were young and hungry.

Canadian baseball players would be making history if it wasna t for the injury bug.

Long before he was a Game 1 starter in the playoffs, Ubaldo Jimenez was a kid on a sandlot in the Dominican Republic.

Is there a more anonymous "good" team heading into baseball's post-season than the Colorado Rockies? Think about it, since in reality only seven of MLB's version of the "elite eight" fit that category.

It's an easy conclusion to make. An almost obvious one. The Colorado Rockies are a one-year wonder.

As much as the Rockies are keeping their focus on the game at hand, the club couldn't help but be buoyed by the news that two of its most important pitchers took significant steps on Thursday in the instructional league in Tucson, Ariz.

The end of a season and the pending postseason are perfect times for longshots to have an impact.

Can you get the Rockies bandwagon to slow down a bit so I can get back on? I sprained my ankles jumping off of it back in May.

Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag on Tuesdays during the 2009 MLB season.

Aaron Cook knows the plan. He also knows it's not written in pen. The Rockies' right-hander threw a 25-pitch side session this morning at Petco Park, and still believes he will pitch in a Major League game - if not two - this season, though it's not currently mapped out that way.

Troy Tulowitzki has helped point the Rockies toward a National League postseason berth with stellar play at shortstop and a booming bat at the plate.

As one of the hottest hitters sparking a hot-hitting club, it's been tough to find a day to sit Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba.

Now he'll be called upon to stop the Rockies ' five-game slide. De La Rosa's nasty sliders have made him one of the best strikeout pitchers in Rockies history.

HOW DID THE ROCKIES GO FROM 18-28 AND THE CELLAR OF THE NL WEST TO THE TOP OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD-CARD STANDINGS? With pitching, of course.

Jason Marquis has a 3.00 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break. If the Rockies pull off this extraordinary comeback to make the postseason, Marquis will become the first player in major league history whose teams have made the playoffs in each of his first 10 seasons, playing for at least three teams.