Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies: 3 key players to watch

May 22, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates his two run home run with center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Rockies defeated the Phillies 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates his two run home run with center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Rockies defeated the Phillies 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Charlie Blackmon of the Colorado Rockies
May 22, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) celebrates with teammates inside the dugout after scoring a run during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Charlie Blackmon

Heading into Monday night’s game in Philadelphia, Chuck Nazty was on fire. That didn’t slow down once he hit the Keystone State.

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Blackmon currently leads the National League with 60 hits and paces Major League Baseball with six triples. He was fourth in the National League with 26 extra-base hits and tied for eighth with 33 RBI when he stepped onto the field Monday night. He padded those numbers with a 2-for-5 night with three RBI against the Phillies.

His .321 batting average and .946 OPS clearly places him as one of the best leadoff men in baseball today. He’s also one of the best at his position. Think about this … Among MLB center fielders, Blackmon ranks second in home runs and batting average behind Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels. However, right now, that’s seemingly Blackmon’s biggest competition to being the best in his position.

Prior to the Philadelphia series, Blackmon was hitting .360 in May. That included an 0-for-10 stretch in early May. Perhaps that in itself shows just how hot Blackmon has been at the plate recently. Can he keep up this pace? It’s doubtful … but the Rockies will be happy to ride Blackmon’s hot streak to more success for as long as they can.