Colorado Rockies: 5 Bold Predictions for the Second Half

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Jul 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Carlos Estevez (54) reacts after beating the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Carlos Estevez Will Save 25-plus Games

Since taking over the closer’s role from Jake McGee, Estevez has been very good in the role.

After today he is 11-for-14 in save opportunities, and over his last three games he has pitched three-straight 1-2-3 innings.

His 11 saves are miles ahead of the next closest rookie closer in the NL, Seung-hwan Oh of the Cardinals with six.

If the Rockies can get to the 88-win mark on the year, out of the 38 wins they would get, you would expect Estevez to easily achieve 14-plus saves in that frame to reach this threshold.

Estevez has the great high-90s fastball, but his best pitch is his slider, which is wipe-out material. He has now recorded five saves in the last eight days, per CBSsports.com:

"Fantasy owners have been reaping great rewards from Estevez, as he’s recorded five saves in the last eight days and is carrying terrific rate stats by Colorado pitching standards. In fact, he’s only given up one run in his last nine appearances."

As a rookie, he will continue to have bumps in the road over the remainder of the season. But, he has taken over the closer role with aplomb and his confidence just continues to grow. Barring a meltdown, the Rockies have no reason to remove him from the role for the rest of the season.

Next: Weiss Will Manage the Rockies in 2017