Colorado Rockies Not Playing Spoiler Role Very Well

On the last off day of the 2016 season for the Colorado Rockies, we have to face the facts about one thing. Let’s be honest, the Rockies did not play the role of spoiler very well over the past seven games.

It’s been discussed time and time again about how the Rockies had a chance to figure into the National League postseason … even if they weren’t going to be there themselves. A late September schedule filled against teams trying to claw their way deep into October was the chance for the Rockies to prove they could be a factor.

Instead, the Rockies only proved there’s a stark contrast between teams heading into the 2016 playoffs and those hoping to get there next season.

Beginning a week ago today, the Rockies had 10 consecutive games against franchises with October aspirations. Seven games into the stretch, the Rockies are 1-6 against those teams.

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The St. Louis Cardinals came into Denver and took two of three from the Rockies before Colorado headed to the City of Angels to begin its last road trip of the season. It’s started off poorly, with the Los Angeles Dodgers sweeping a four-game series. The Rockies could only watch on Sunday as Charlie Culberson (yes, the former Rockie) blasted a game-winning homer to clinch the National League West for the Dodgers.

An extra-inning loss is bad enough. Doing it against your division rivals to allow them to celebrate winning your division in front of you is even worse.

Not even knowing it was a storybook ending to Vin Scully’s career could salve the wounds of this one. Adam Ottavino giving up a two-run homer in the ninth and Boone Logan surrendering Culberson’s blast in the 10^th. Here’s how Scully described it…

“0-1 to Charlie. Swung on, a high fly ball to deep left field. The Dodger bench empties, would you believe a home run? And the Dodgers have clinched the division and will celebrate on schedule.

“Leave it to the Dodgers, Charlie Culberson a game-winning home run. What a moment to have it, and would you believe his first home run of the year?

You can watch the homer and listen to Scully’s take by clicking here.

Aside from the division-clinching win, another clincher happened while in Los Angeles. The Rockies clinched another losing season with Saturday night’s loss. We’re now winding up their sixth straight losing season and their 17th losing season in 24 years.

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There was hope that the Rockies would spoil things for some other teams this month. They still have a chance with three games in San Francisco starting Tuesday night against the Giants, who hold just a half-game lead over the Cardinals for the final Wild Card spot. However, Colorado will have to look like a much different team than it did over the last seven days to make that happen.