Ubaldo Jimenez has provided the Colorado Rockies with stunning consistency in the early part of the 2010 season
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Ubaldo Jimenez looked like a hand full of aces on Monday night.
More than his impressive 23+ Inning shutout streak was the way Ubaldo handled his first earned run in three starts. U-ball stared down the opportunistic but underpowered San Diego lineup. In a moment that may become Jimenez’ trademark on the season, Ubaldo decided that he was the better ball player and shut down the Padres.
The result was a rock-solid 5-2 win for the Colorado Rockies.
A year ago, Jimenez found himself in tough situations all too often. Either a result of his own erratic pitching or a lack of run support from his stacked offense… Ubaldo still hadn’t settled into his own skin.
But six games into the 2010 MLB Season, Ubaldo Jimenez is the model for disciplined pitching in the National League.
Roy Halladay has been overwhelmingly solid in Philadelphia, sure, but U-Ball has been a force unto himself. Halladay still goes into games assuming run production from the Phillies’ celebrated batting lineup. Jimenez cannot assume the same advantage.
U-Ball still goes out there like he’s got something to prove. He pitches like he might be pitching from behind an inning later. In short, Jimenez is a hungry pitcher on a hungry team. Even if the Rockies’ lineup were to abandon Ubaldo for a game (which they haven’t), we would still see Jimenez come out with his now masterfully controlled 98-100 mph fastball. Ubaldo would still be plowing his 90 mph slider through the bottom half of the strike zone. U-Ball would still be dominant.
In the early part of the season, where the Rockies have traditionally fallen behind the NL pack, Ubaldo has taken it upon himself to keep pace.
Not that the Rockies need it in 2010.
This slow-starting Colorado club has lost its share of close game, blown its share of leads, and generally been the same inconsistent team that takes the field throughout April & May to begin each baseball season. This time feels different, though. This time, it all seems like part of the plan.
The Colorado Rockies sit at 13-13 on May 4th. That’s .500 baseball from a team that has grown accustomed to dropping three and four games back in their division by the end of April. That’s Colorado playing below its potential and staying competitive. It’s a sign of things to come.
Colorado just scrapped out a win in San Francisco to avoid a road sweep. Then they trekked to San Diego and watched their ace dominate 7 Innings against the NL West leaders.
Mark my words, these Rockies are ready to explode. And with any luck, Colorado will make the remainder of their California road trip memorable. This team is capable of a statement streak, and seems poised to follow Ubaldo’s strong example into the breach.
