Colorado Rockies: 5 Bold Predictions for the Second Half

The Rockies Will Make the Playoffs

I thought this was lunacy prior to the All-Star break. The hitting and pitching had been inconsistent, and the team couldn’t string more than two good performances in a row.

But the break came at a perfect time for the Rockies.

Since the All-Star break, other than the hiccup in losing the home series to the lowly Tampa Bay Rays, the performances have been A-plus.

The rotation’s ERA since the All-Star break is 4.19, down from 4.48 prior to the break. The team’s batting average has dropped from .273 prior to the break to .237 since, as has the OBP from .335 to. 315. Interestingly, the team has the best home batting average (.301) and the worst road batting average (.237) in the National League.

But they are winning games!

And they are 50-52 on the year!

The reason the Rockies will make the playoffs is their pitching. Yes, their pitching. Jon Gray is becoming a bona fide star, and Tyler Anderson is getting better and better. Chad Bettis has returned to form, and Tyler Chatwood and Jorge De La Rosa (if he remains on the team) just need to be steady and give the team a chance to win when they pitch.

The squad is high on confidence right now, and the rest of the schedule is fairly weak, with plenty of games remaining against the lowly Phillies, Brewers, Padres and Diamondbacks.

If they can hold serve against the likes of the Nationals, the Giants, and the Dodgers, this goal becomes even more realistic.

Provided Walt Weiss does not wear out his bullpen with his seemingly endless pitching matchup changes, the Rockies will pull out the NL’s second Wild Card berth, and will finish the season at 88-74, and in the process jump the Marlins, Cardinals, Mets, and Pirates.

Of course this would be an upset (the Rockies were recently given a 2 percent chance to make the postseason).

But your’e saying there’s a chance, right?

Yes there is!

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