You don't talk about the playoffs until your team is over .500. It's a rule.

It's nice that the Rockies have won three series in a row, including the first of a pivotal road trip, and it's true that they're only three games back in the NL West standings. They're also technically only 2 1/2 games out of the wild card lead, and the teams in front of them aren't exactly imposing (the Reds, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks). But they're two games under .500, and until that is rectified, we're not talking abou the playoffs. Even if the Rockies make the playoffs with a losing record, we're not going to talk about it. It's a rule!

It's disappointing that the Rockies weren't able to finish off the fading Giants for a sweep today, but a loss was almost inevitable after the stirring extra-inning win Saturday. The game today was pretty bland, so let's talk about that game. The relief pitching is back! Yorvit Torrealba didn't have a good day with the bat but he nailed Omar Vizquel trying to steal in the bottom of the eleventh, helping Brian Fuentes add another save to his total. Was I wrong about Jeremy Affeldt? Two appearances is hardly enough to judge, but the pitcher who has turned out in a Rockies uniform looks quite different than the Royals starter of the past few seasons. Some guys are just better off as relievers, and if Affeldt can keep throwing his fastball and his big sweeping curve for strikes, the Rockies bullpen next year could challenge 1995's for the best in Colorado's brief history.

The MLS All-Star game yesterday was a lot of fun to watch. The concept of having the best players in the U.S. league play against some sort of glamour team from Europe is brilliant. The Americans looked inspired in upsetting EPL champions Chelsea 1-0. If the MLS can keep bringing in big-deal Euro teams, this will be the best All-Star game in American team sports. Not that the competition is steep.