Cubs Facing Red-Hot Rockies, Past Failures Friday in Colorado

COMMENTARY | Anyone who regularly reads my writing knows I am an ersatz Denver/Colorado fan, I have been for years. A friend of mine from high school played for the old ABA Denver Rockets, I rooted for the Broncos when they had the "Orange Crush" defense and I like the way the fans support their Rockies; it is a franchise that reminds me of the Cubs.

However, all bets are off when they are playing a Chicago team, and that is what the Rockies will be doing Friday: The Cubs are coming to Coors Field. At the outset, it seems like a done deal with Colorado the victor. After all, they are boasting an 8-2 record and .800 winning percentage. The Cubs are at .500.

I am using as reference an article by Jesse Sanchez posted at the MLB.com website titled "Cubs won't change style to fit Colorado."

What does that mean, "change style?"

Denver has perhaps one of the most palpable home field advantages in baseball. In fact, they do, in my opinion, in every sport played outdoors. Since the air is thinner, players don't have the same energy and, in the case of a baseball-well, it will react differently.

What Cubs manager Mike Quade means when he says the Cubs aren't going to change their style is that they are going to hit, pitch and field the same as if they were playing in Wrigley Field. They are not going to make "psychological changes" to make up for these potential differences--the differences they may encounter with the ball.

While it is true it is early in the season, this is an important series. The Cubs were swept here last year. A terrible road record helped send their season "south."

I think the Cubs are going to improve a lot this year. I have no idea how much. However, I have to believe that Colorado is going to have a lot of success.

In other news, it would seem that Quade has found his leadoff batters. Starlin Castro is batting first and is sporting an average of .389, while Darwin Barney is batting second and batting .345.

Reference:

MLB.com Website, Jesse Sanchez, "Cubs won't change style to fit Colorado"