Colorado Rockies: Why having potential Game 163 at Coors Field is a must

With October quickly approaching and the Colorado Rockies right in the National League Wild Card race, we take a quick peek about potential Game 163.

The Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks are currently the National League Wild Card leaders, it looks like the two could potentially toward a Game 163 against each other. With the Milwaukee Brewers struggling since the break and 5 1/2 games behind Colorado for the second wild card spot, it will take a hot streak from an NL Central team or a collapse from one of the NL West teams to change the current standings. The Rox and D-Backs have split their 12 games so far this season but for the Rockies to win what will possibly be the biggest meeting between the two in October they need to host Game 163 at Coors Field.

Home/Away Splits

The Rockies started off the season as one of the best road teams in the league but that has quickly changed. Since June 11th, the team is 5-17 in road games dropping their overall record to 29-27 away from Coors Field. However, after their walk-off win against the Mets on Thursday the Rockies improved their home record to 33-20, which is 3rd best in the Majors. The Diamondbacks unfortunately are one of the other two teams with a better record than the Rockies at home. Which brings more concern that the Rockies need home field advantage for the Wild Card game. The good news for the Rockies is Arizona is the only team in the NL playoff picture with a road record under .500. The Rockies haven’t been the road team they started out to be, which in the end might be the biggest factor in getting to stay in the Mile High city for Game 163.

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Diamondback Pitchers Struggles at Coors

If and when the time comes the Diamondbacks will probably make a decision to start either Zack Greinke or Robbie Ray for a potential Game 163. Neither one has impressive numbers at Coors Field. Then again not a lot of pitchers do. Greinke’s highest career WHIP at Coors Field (Min. 5 starts) with a 1.534 compared to a 1.170 at Chase Field. Ray has a 4.36 ERA and 1.694 WHIP in his 4 career starts in Denver as well as giving up 8 walks in 20.2 innings at Coors. The Rockies also don’t want to face Zack Greinke in Arizona. Greinke is 10-0 in 12 starts with a 2.39 ERA and 0.848 WHIP at Chase Field this season, which is dominant to say the least. That includes a seven inning performance on July 1st where he only gave up 3 hits and 2 earned runs to the Rockies.

Next: Could Tyler Chatwood move to the bullpen?

Final Thoughts

Can the Rockies win one game at Chase Field? Of course but with how they’ve been playing recently, extending their possible postseason will be easier at Coors. Plus, there was a certain slide during a Game 163 that happened at home plate at Coors.