Statement Series: Colorado Rockies Look to Prove Worth Against Blue Crew

In 2009—and for much of their existence—the Colorado Rockies were nothing more than a bug on the windshield of the flashy sports car otherwise known as the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

The Rockies are the Washington Generals to the Dodgers' Harlem Globetrotters. This comparison is made more believable by the Rockies' 1-8 season record against their West Coast rivals.

The last time these two teams faced in a three-game set, Los Angeles outscored the Rockies 31-13 to push Colorado to the brink of early season oblivion with a record of 18-28.

That train wreck of a series had the villagers—pitchforks and torches in hand—storming the windmill otherwise known as the Monforts luxury suite, calling for the head of Manager Clint Hurdle and GM Dan O'Dowd at a two-for-one, slash-and-burn special.

The Rockies faithful got their wish the next day as Hurdle got the heave-ho as head honcho of the Rockies. Bench Coach Jim Tracy was given the "interim" tag and told to resuscitate a season that appeared headed for an early demise.

Tracy has brought a calming influence to a clubhouse formerly in crisis and the Rockies have gained their second, third, and maybe even fourth winds in the month of June.

Under Tracy, the Rockies have won gone a stellar 22-7, including a franchise record 20 victories in June. Colorado is coming off a sweep of Matt Holliday's Oakland Athletics and are sitting pretty at just a half-game behind the surprising San Francisco Giants for the lead in the National League Wild Card race. 

At 40-35, the Rox are playing with confidence and calmness with the heat turned up.

From top to bottom, the Rockies are clicking both offensively and on the hill. Jason Marquis, Aaron Cook, and Ubaldo Jimenez have combined for 23 wins and Jason Hammel has been a pleasant surprise for Tracy's rotation, parlaying his "Bugs Bunny" curveball and mid-90s fastball into five consecutive wins.

Brad Hawpe has set the world on fire in most offensive categories, Todd Helton is partying like it's 1999, and the young guns are getting more comfortable at the Major League level.

But all the goodwill the Rockies have built through the last month of play can all go by the wayside if the team goes out and lays an egg against the Dodgers in their three-game series starting Monday from Chavez Ravine.

In September of 2007—the last time the Rockies enjoyed such an extended streak of quality baseball—the Rockies' Rocktober run came to fruition by knocking the Dodgers from their perennial perch in the NL West.

The Rox took seven games in the last two weeks of the season from LA—including the indelible memory of Todd Helton's two-run, walk-off shot off then-untouchable closer Takashi Saito—which set the tone for the Rox' improbable run to the World Series.

It has been a reversal of fortunes against the Dodgers in 2009. Monday's starter Ubaldo Jimenez is 0-3 against the Blue Crew with an ERA over 10—not that any other pitcher has fared well as the team's collective ERA against LA is a cringe-inducing 8.08. 

Brad Hawpe has been a one-man wolfpack against Dodger pitching this year, hitting at a .435 clip with two home runs and ten RBI.  Unfortunately, Hawpe is the only Rockie regular hitting above .250 against LA this season.

The Rox don't need a sweep, but winning two of three would not hurt. The first-place Dodgers are just 1-4 in their last five contests and the Rockies are the hottest team in baseball. 

Something has to give between these two clubs. If the Rockies can prove their scorching June is more than just a summer mirage, the boys in the purple pinstripes could stay simmering through September.