Rockies: Miller | 
Preview | 1 Man vs. 1 Fan | Street
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Five things to know about the Colorado Rockies:
1. Lifting off to a good start might be as imperative for the Rockies as anyone, and not simply so they can regain their balance after a bitterly disappointing 2008 season. No, just take one look at their schedule: The Rockies open with 11 of their first 14 games on the road. Six of their first 11 are against the clubs who played in last year's National League Championship Series, the Phillies and Dodgers. And in a real oddity, when they open their first real homestand of the season April 24 against the Dodgers, the Rockies will have played six games in Arizona against the Diamondbacks (April 6-8 and 20-22) and only three at home (April 10-12 against the Phillies).
2. The Rockies are installing center fielder Ryan Spillborghs as their new leadoff man in place of departed Willy Taveras. In 97 games last season, Spillborghs hit .299 with a .363 on-base percentage, 11 homers and 51 RBI. What does manager Clint Hurdle like about Spillborghs hitting first? "Good at-bats, he sees pitches. He's a smart base runner. He'll get the barrel of the bat on the ball. That's one area we weren't very proficient at last year."
3. Though the Rockies are doing everything they can to encourage competition between Huston Street and Manny Corpas in the closer's battle to replace Brian Fuentes, many close to the team expect Street to emerge as the ninth-inning guy. Whatever happens, Hurdle would like to have that decision made by late March. "We'll have one in place by opening day," the manager says. "My preference would be sooner rather than later. Probably with a week to go [before opening day]."
4. With Jeff Francis expected to miss the season following shoulder surgery, All-Star Aaron Cook will have to shoulder an extra burden in setting the stage for the rotation. He's spent much of the spring working on his secondary pitches. His signature pitch, of course, is a heavy sinker that ranges between 87 and 93 mph. His thinking is that if he can continue to gain enough confidence to use his slider more, and even his curve and change-up, it will make him even more effective. "I've always had good secondary pitches, I just haven't used them," Cook says. "If I can fine tune my second and third pitches, hopefully that can be a big key for me."
5. Even if Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jiminez thrive atop the rotation, there are several questions below. Such as: Which Jorge de la Rosa will show up, the one who showed enough promise in Kansas City that the Rockies traded for him, or the one allowed 25 runs over 23 innings in his first five starts? Can Jason Marquis take advantage of another new start? Will Greg Smith, acquired from Oakland in the Matt Holliday trade, hold onto the No. 5 starter's slot?
5(a). The Rockies are very happy with Todd Helton's progress following offseason back surgery. He is expected to be ready for opening day, and at full strength.
