Colorado Rockies: 2 Numbers That Show the Team’s Struggles

It’s been a season of ups and downs for the Colorado Rockies. However, there have been two consistent problems this season for the team, no matter whether they’re on a winning streak or scuffling along.

When you step back and look at the season overall for the Rockies, two numbers stand out. Let’s take a look at them.

First, let’s look at the number 2 … as in two outs in the inning. Throughout the season, Colorado pitchers have had an issue finishing out the frame. Heading into Friday’s series opener in Philadelphia, the Rockies are 29th out of 30 Major League Baseball teams in two-out ERA, compiling a 6.14 ERA this season. To put that in perspective, the Chicago Cubs lead MLB in two-out ERA with a 3.49 mark.

A perfect example of Colorado’s problems closing out the inning could be seen in Tuesday’s 7-5 loss to the Texas Rangers at Coors Field. Three of the seven runs scored by the Rangers came with two outs in the frame, including the go-ahead run in the eighth and an insurance run in the ninth.

One of Colorado’s most painful losses of the season came in a 10-9 defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 24. It was not only the longest nine-inning game in National League history, but was also a glimpse into the bullpen issues that would haunt the Rockies in August’s collapse.

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Individually, Jake McGee has perhaps the most dramatic spike in ERA for the Rockies as the inning goes along. The former Colorado closer has a 0.77 with no outs in an inning. However, that jumps to 6.17 with one out and a startling 8.18 ERA with two outs.

Jorge De La Rosa has also struggled as the inning has advanced. With no outs, Colorado’s all-time winningest pitcher has a 1.32 ERA. With one out, it’s 6.55. With two outs, it’s 8.46.

Second, let’s look at the number 1 … as in one-run games the Rockies have been a part of this season. Heading into Friday, Colorado was 8-15 in one-run games. Two of those one-run losses came in the recent home-and-home series against the Rangers.

Three of those one-run losses have also come in extra innings, where the Colorado Rockies are 0-3 this season in games that go past nine innings.

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Close games have been the nemesis of the Rockies all season. Overall, in games decided by two runs or less, Colorado is 17-26.