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Colorado Rockies: Our 2017 Season Predictions and Forecasts

By Kevin Henry

Jul 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view outside of Coors Field in the seventh inning of the game between the Tampa Bay Rays against the Colorado Rockies. The Rays defeated the Rockies 11-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view outside of Coors Field in the seventh inning of the game between the Tampa Bay Rays against the Colorado Rockies. The Rays defeated the Rockies 11-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies outfielder Gerardo Parra reacts in the dugout against Puerto Rico during a 2017 World Baseball Classic exhibition game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies outfielder Gerardo Parra reacts in the dugout against Puerto Rico during a 2017 World Baseball Classic exhibition game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Ben Macaluso

The last time I had optimism about the Rockies it was late in September in 2010. My brother’s 18th birthday was on the 18th and he wanted to go to a barbecue joint and watch the Rockies. They beat the Dodgers 12-2 after Troy Tulowitzki hit his 13th and 14th homers of the month. The Rockies won 12-2. A Wild Card berth seemed inevitable. It was a happy birthday.

The next day the Rockies lost a heartbreaker to the Dodgers in 11 innings. They went 1-14 the rest of the way. It’s been trying ever since that day eating barbecue. But a something funny happened at the end of July 2016. After they lost two of three against a struggling Rays team and the season seemed over, they won 11 of 13 bringing them one game over .500 at 54-53.

They finished the season with the worst record in the months of August of September with a 21-34 record. But this wasn’t the same team Rockies fans have tried to block out for the better part of the decade. They were having fun. Many young players were stepping up and mentoring each other. They brought hope.

What will Colorado’s 2017 record be (162-game regular season schedule)?

This 2017 team will have more wins. I predict they will win 10 more games than last year and will have a record of 85-77. I think this will be the best Rockies team since that 2010 team.

Who will be Colorado’s biggest surprise and disappointment?

The pitching will be a strength for this team, including the bullpen. Greg Holland will have a lot to say about that and Ian Desmond will adjust just fine at first base, carrying the Rockies offense even further into the stratosphere. Even with Desmond gone for the first month, the Rockies always do well in April.

Even the Gerado Parra is the heart and soul of this team, I think he will continue to struggle to get consistent at bats in left and at first, making it difficult to have a true bounceback season.

Why will or why won’t Colorado make the playoffs?

Unfortunately I think the Rockies will just miss the playoffs. I think this will have to do more with the strength of the Dodgers and the Giants. The Dodgers are the Dodgers and the Giants have addressed their bullpen issues.

Next: How the Colorado Rockies Were Almost the Denver A's

This Rockies team is built to last. These young players are only going to get better. I haven’t felt this optimistic in a long time. I think it’s time to grab some barbecue.

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