Colorado Rockies: Evaluating the NL West Standings

It’s been an up-and-down season for the Colorado Rockies so far in 2016. While it’s been frustrating for Rockies fans at times, they can certainly take heart knowing that their compatriots throughout the rest of the National League West feel their pain.

Sitting at 16-18 after topping the Arizona Diamondbacks in dramatic fashion on Wednesday afternoon thanks to a late Nolan Arenado home run, the Rockies are just one game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants in the division standings. From top to bottom, there are only 2.5 games that separate the NL West’s five teams heading into Thursday’s action.

No team in the NL West has been able to break apart from the pack because all five teams have been unable to establish dominancy within the division. Colorado (13-12) and Los Angeles (11-8) are the only two teams in the division that have a winning record against their division counterparts.

As a note, Colorado has played by far the most games against division foes at 25 through their first 34 games. Compare that to 21 in 36 games for the Giants, 19 in 34 games for the Dodgers, and 19 in 36 games for the Padres. San Diego has played the fewest with 18 of their first 35 games against the NL West.

Team batting average

Colorado — .276

Arizona — .267

San Francisco — .263

Los Angeles — .240

San Diego — .234

Colorado’s batting average is the fourth-best in MLB heading into Thursday’s action. The Boston Red Sox currently lead MLB with a .293 average while the Tampa Bay Rays have the lowest at .224.

Team pitching ERA

Los Angeles — 3.53

San Diego — 4.11

San Francisco — 4.20

Arizona — 4.68

Colorado — 5.12

Overall, there are 12 teams in MLB (only one in the NL West) with an ERA of less than 4.00 while there are seven teams in MLB (two in the NL West, including the Rockies) with an ERA over 4.50. By the way, Milwaukee currently has the worst ERA in MLB with a 5.42 ERA.

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The NL West is still wide open and waiting for a team to take command of the division. Will the Rockies be that team? After an off day on Thursday, Colorado will play 12 straight contests (and 16 of the next 19) against teams from outside the division. If the Colorado Rockies can reestablish their home winning ways and continue to play like they did in their recent 10-game road trip through the National League West, it’s very possible.

It’s been an up-and-down season for the Colorado Rockies so far in 2016. While it’s been frustrating for Rockies fans at times, they can certainly take heart knowing that their compatriots throughout the rest of the National League West feel their pain.

Team batting average

Team pitching ERA

Schedule