Colorado Rockies: 3 Things to Be Free of this 4th of July

As our country celebrates its freedom today with all things American, including baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and fireworks, let’s take a few minutes and think about another kind of freedom … the things that the Colorado Rockies would like to be free of for the rest of the season.

With the All-Star break approaching and the Rockies starting a three-game series later today against the National League West Division leading San Francisco Giants, every game is important. That especially holds true if the Rockies are going to continue to be in the conversation when it comes to teams with a chance to grab a Wild Card playoff spot.

Just like our forefathers left behind English rule when they signed the Declaration of Independence, here are the three things we’re hoping the Rockies are declaring their freedom over as the second half of the season draws near.

Injuries

We know, we know … every team goes through injuries. However, the Rockies were hit particularly hard by the injury bug in June and the results showed, especially in the series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Just as it looked as if the Rockies were ready to make another run at the .500 mark, Trevor Story and DJ LeMahieu were both sidelined at the same time, throwing the Colorado middle infield (and bench) into a rough position.

Additionally, the Rockies ended the month with their bullpen in shambles and one of their top starters (Tyler Chatwood) on the disabled list.

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For the Rockies to make a serious run, there can’t be a rash of injuries like the Rockies have faced in recent days.

Bullpen blowups

June was tough for Colorado’s bullpen … and it wasn’t just because of injuries.

Rockies relievers were 3-6 with saves in seven of 12 opportunities, allowing 16 home runs and a .280 batting average. The bullpen had an especially rough month at Coors Field, posting a 7.09 ERA compared to a 4.32 mark on the road.

And it wasn’t just in June. Gonzalez Germen and Chad Qualls couldn’t keep the Colorado deficit close in Friday’s night road trip opener in Los Angeles, allowing three runs in the eighth inning that pushed the LA lead to 5-0 and essentially sealed the game for the Dodgers.

Colorado’s bullpen has to rebound from recent tough times … but help is on the way with Jake McGee back and Christian Bergman scheduled to rejoin the team before the All-Star break.

Two-out runs allowed

Heading into Saturday’s action, the Colorado Rockies had the worst ERA of any MLB team when there were two outs in the inning, bottoming out the league at 6.45. The Rockies are one of six teams with a two-out ERA above 6.00, but that doesn’t ease the frustration for Rockies fans who have seen their team unable to slam the door on the inning way too many times this season.

Next: Tough Bullpen Decisions are Coming for the Rockies

After being asked about the two-out troubles, Colorado manager Walt Weiss reassured the media that it had been and would be addressed with the team. However, for the Rockies to rise in the standings, Colorado pitchers have to get better about closing out innings.