Can Jordan Lyles Be A Stopper For The Colorado Rockies?

Sep 14, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jordan Lyles (24) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Lyles takes the hill today against Kyle Hendricks (no, not Kyle Kendrick) with the series on the line. Can he be a stopper for the Colorado Rockies this summer?

It’s an important question for any pitcher, but perhaps especially for one throwing for the Colorado Rockies, and especially one throwing in Denver: can you stop a losing streak – even of just a game – and go out and win the rubber match to clinch a series for your club?

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That’s the question Rockies fans are asking about Jordan Lyles today as he takes the mound against the Cubs with a series on the line after Kyle Kendrick’s disappointing performance Saturday night.

Intuitively, it’d seem successful teams have pitchers who, when they get the ball, can put an end to losing streaks or nip them in the bud after only one game.

Good teams have stoppers. Some teams, like the Dodgers and Padres, have multiple stoppers. The Rockies aren’t quite on that level, but, Lyles can still assert himself as a losing-streak-killer Sunday afternoon.

A strong performance by Lyles (really, by any starter on this staff) after a loss helps send a message to the club: one win in a series isn’t good enough, and losing two out of three – especially at home – is unacceptable.

Game starts at 2:10 pm MT. After today’s match-up, the Rockies head on a six-game road trip to San Francisco and Los Angeles.