Holy humidor! The Rockies--yes, the Rockies--are legitimate contenders in the N.L. West.(BASEBALL)

No one can be questioned for doubting the Rockies' strong start. After all, history is not on the club's side. Colorado hasn't finished higher than fourth place in the N.L. West since 1997 and never has won more than 83 games in a season. Still, for every reason there is to doubt the Rockies can hang on to first place, there's a reason to believe they will stay in the division race for the long haul.

Reason to doubt: It's too early. A 21-16 mark in the middle of May does not guarantee meaningful games in September.

Reason to believe: Go back to the second half of last season and you'll see the Rockies are 51-44 from the beginning of last August through last Saturday. In the National League West, that almost qualifies as dominant.

Doubt: Todd Helton is the only player in the lineup anyone knows.

Believe: That doesn't mean the lineup is short on talent. The Rockies began the week tied for ninth in the N.L. in runs. Right fielder Brad Hawpe (.331 average, .420 OBP), left fielder Matt Holliday (10 homers, 34 RBIs), third baseman Garrett Atkins (.326 average) and center fielder Cory Sullivan (13 doubles, six triples, .297 average) are among the league leaders.

Those four also have much more in common. All are 26 and were drafted by the Rockies. None was picked earlier than the fifth round, and none came up with any five-tool hype. "We've got guys who can play baseball," Helton says.

Cardinals second baseman Aaron Miles, who spent the previous two seasons with the Rockies, sees a group of talented young players coming into their own at about the same time. "They've been in the league awhile, so they're not worried about their jobs; they're not worried about going down to triple-A," Miles says. "They're young, they're strong, and they're confident. I see them as a force to be reckoned with."