Series Preview: Colorado Rockies vs New York Mets

Sep 10, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman D. LeMahieu (9) slides as New York Mets shortstop W. Flores (4) completes the double play during the seventh inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Series Keys For The Rockies

Same Story, Different Day

The Rockies are going to see a very similar club in New York that they just did in Washington.

The Mets pitch well, hit very poorly (though they improved that at the trade deadline) and do just enough offensively to survive while shutting down other teams when they’re on the mound.

For the Rox, that means it’s the same issue they face against so many clubs away from Coors Field: can they string together enough hits to make a game competitive?

Remember, on Friday night in Washington, the Rockies didn’t get to second base until the sixth inning. Then, on Saturday night, after Nolan Arenado‘s fourth inning home run, the Rockies were set down in order the entire rest of the game (17 straight) in a 6-1 loss. So… yeah. Get ready for more of that.

Something’s Gotta Give

The rotation is kind of in shambles. Yahoo Flande won’t throw in this series, but amongst the other four, only Jorge De La Rosa has a solid hold on his job.

Of the other three, Jon Gray is very young and will surely struggle at some point (though the Rockies are going to give him a lot of chances), Chris Rusin has scuffled lately and may not be long for the rotation himself, and Eddie Butler… just, what the hell is happening.

Depending on what happens this week in New York, you might see a markedly different Rockies rotation upon returning to Denver on Friday night against San Diego.

Hang Around And Win A Game

The Rockies may not be hitting the ball lately, but Friday night’s game is indicative of how they can win on the road. No, they aren’t going to hit a go-ahead grand slam every week (I don’t think…) but the whole idea of hanging around just long enough and then taking advantage of an opportunity when you get it is the thing to take away here.

If the Rockies can find themselves in a couple 2-1 or 3-2 games this week in New York, hey, if they can outlast the starter and get into the eighth inning down a run… anything can happen if they can put pressure on the Mets’ bullpen. It’s not likely, and you’d rather not play from behind like that every day, but… let’s be realistic.

Next: Let's Meet The New York Mets