White Sox at Rockies: Q/A with Roxpile.com

Apr 6, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; General view as fans enter Coors Field before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

1. What are your thoughts on the Rockies after the first two series’ of the 2014 season?

I think they look about like the team I thought they would be. The starting rotation stands to be solid, one of the better groups that the team has ever had, actually.

They should be a good home team, something that was on display this weekend. On the road, the offense will be inconsistent, which was part of the problem when they dropped three of four in Miami last week.

The other problem was the bullpen, which is still an area with a lot of question marks moving forward. Whether or not the bullpen can turn things around in short order might determine where the Rockies stand after the first month or so of the season.

Apr 5, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) singles in the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Diamondbacks 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

2. Who is your surprise player for the Rockies so far this season, and why?

It’s almost impossible to say anybody other than outfielder Charlie Blackmon. He entered the season as one of four (not a typo) candidates for the starting centerfield job.

The Rockies gave him the opening day start and the lion’s share of the playing time, and he has responded with a .542 average through seven games (including a six-hit game last Friday).

Before the year started, I wondered if he was going to be the odd man out and even possibly a candidate to be traded. Instead, he has taken a strong hold of the starting spot.

Feb 15, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; A detail shot of major league baseballs are seen during spring training at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

3. Can I get your thoughts on Interleague play? Are you a fan of it or not?

For the most part, I enjoy it because of the opportunity to see some different match-ups. What I am not a fan of, and I think a lot of people feel this way, are the “natural rivalries” and the advantages or disadvantages they build into teams’ schedules.

Take the Rockies, for example: their natural rival, without an obvious choice, has been deemed to be the Houston Astros. If ever the Rockies are in a playoff race with the San Francisco Giants, who play those same rivalry series against the Oakland A’s, it gives them a distinct advantage. That’s the part that just doesn’t quite click for me.

Mar 31, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario (20) connects for a base hit in the fourth inning of an opening day baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

4. Who will be your breakout player for this series and why?

My pick would be catcher Wilin Rosario. He has gotten off to a bit of a slow start and has not yet flashed any of the power that the Rockies need from him this season.

That’s not to say I’m worried about him; the power numbers will come, and I could see that starting with this home series before the Rockies head back out on the road this weekend.

Apr 2, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jordan Lyles (24) throws against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

5. Which team will win this series?

I’m inclined to think that the Rockies will win two out of three because it is at Coors Field, but the starting pitchers for Colorado for the first two games of the series are shaky (Jordan Lyles and Franklin Morales).

If the White Sox get to one of them early and wear out the bullpen, that could be their formula for a series win on the road.