The Giants may also make a move with Cody Ross dur

Who says there's no such thing as a big series in April? Not me. Starting Monday, we have Giants at Rockies for three games, and it certainly feels like a big showdown to me. The Rockies have baseball's best record at 12-3 -- but have yet to play a team with a winning record, as they've cleaned up against the Diamondbacks,Cheap Versace Jeans, Dodgers, Pirates, Mets and Cubs. So they have a little something to prove. San Francisco Giants Jerseys The Giants are 8-7, four games behind the Rockies, and certainly don't want to leave Denver seven games out of first place. They have their three top starters lined up to prove something to Troy Tulowitzki and Co. The Rockies have been impressive in outscoring their opponents 85 to 59, especially going 7-1 on the road, after a dismal 31-50 mark in 2010. The Rockies have had only one winning road season in franchise history -- 41-40 in 2009 -- so getting off to a strong start there is a positive sign. Second-year righty Esmil Rogers starts Monday against Lincecum in what may look like a mismatch, but Rogers has been solid in winning his first two starts.
As a rookie in 2010 he was jerked around between Triple-A and the majors, between the bullpen and starting, so this is a good opportunity for the Rockies to see what they have. So far he's been effective against left-handers but there are doubts on how his stuff will fare consistently against lefty swingers. And with all the attention given to Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, it's easy to forget that Ubaldo Jimenez is back after missing a couple starts with a cracked cuticle. The Giants hit just .168 in four games against Jimenez last season. He starts Tuesday against Sanchez. Cain has allowed three runs over his first three starts, despite just 10 strikeouts over 19 innings. Going back to last September, and including his three postseason starts, Cain has allowed more than two runs just once in 10 starts his final regular-season start of 2010. He may not impress you with the raw stuff that Lincecum and Jimenez possess, but since 2009 the only starters with a better ERA are Felix Hernandez, Adam Wainwright, Roy Halladay, Josh Johnson, Clayton Kershaw, Chris Carpenter and Lincecum.
The Giants may also make a move with Cody Ross during the series. MLB Jerseys After a couple rehab starts with Fresno on Sunday and Monday, he should be activated from the DL. Will rookie first baseman Brandon Belt be sent down? After an 0-for-4 effort on Sunday, Belt is down to with one homer and one double in 50 at-bats. But his eight walks shows the excellent discipline and understanding of the strike zone he displayed in the minors. Considering Aubrey Huff's shaky efforts in the outfield, the Giants may want to move Huff back to first and send Belt down until his bat gets going. I think it would be a mistake; despite his postseason heroics, Ross just isn't that good and it hurts saying that, as I'm a big fan. Ross can hit lefties -- 883 OPS in 2010 -- but shouldn't be a regular against righties. Andres Torres' strained Achilles tendon that landed him on the DL may give Belt a two-week reprieve, as Ross could slide into center field except Aaron Roward is inexplicably off start in 44 at-bats.