http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/23/rockies-can-buck-trend-get-off-to-a-good-april-start/ Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball. Tue, 21 May 2013 18:27:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/23/rockies-can-buck-trend-get-off-to-a-good-april-start/comment-page-1/#comment-106312 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:48:23 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=36352#comment-106312 I used to believe an easy early season schedule was a boon. However, in recent years I have come to view it differently. Seems it takes awhile for the cream to rise to the top, and that it may be more advantageous to play a more difficult schedule early. Optimism still reigns in the early going, regardless of the talent level. The better teams make trades to improve their team once weaknesses are assessed and the poorer ones dump salaries, hoping to acquire future stars. And in September, the call ups occur once the sub-.500 teams throw in the towel.
The counter argument is of course the momentum factor, which has its merits, but over all I believe most winning franchises adopt the theory that .500 ball in the first half will suffice, and after things have settled, and adjustments made, the winning thrusts will occur in the second half.
As for the Rockies, I am sure their fan base would like to see some early success for a change. With their easy early opposition, for their sake, I hope they succeed. But that does present some additional pressure. Things won’t seem so rosy if they are at .500 at the break, knowing they have some tough sledding ahead.

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