Colorado Rockies: Bud Black discusses the Wild Card Game

While at Chase Field today, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black spoke with the media about the upcoming game with the D’Backs in the Wild Card Game tomorrow.

Rockies manager Bud Black discussed some things about tomorrow’s Wild Card Game against the D’Backs while at Chase Field today during the team’s workout.

Black on strategy in a one-game elimination

One thing that Bud Black discussed was whether or not his strategy between in a single elimination game and this is what he had to say.

"I think so….So as far as the strategy prosecute game to game, especially pitcher usage, it’s quite a bit different than a one-game scenario, especially with, you know, multiple days off prior to that…I think that’s the biggest difference."

Black on familiarity with the D’Backs

Bud Black also discussed how the Rockies and D’Backs have faced each other 19 times this season. They have been joined at the hip since the beginning since they share a spring training complex in Arizona with the D’Backs.

"[T]here are no secrets here. We know what they like to do. They know our players. We’d like to think that we know their players and what they like to do. You know, it comes down to our side trying to halt the things that they like to do. Make our pitches in certain locations, but where we feel we have to pitch certain hitters…So it comes down to really execution. And if you don’t, you know, the hitters are going to make the pitchers pay. If pitchers make their pitches, more likely than not, hitters will be out."

Black on facing the D’Backs recently

The Rockies faced the D’Backs recently at Chase Field from September 11-14. The two teams split the four game series but in the Rockies two losses, the D’Backs scored seven and eight runs, respectively. Bud Black had some words on containing the offense and the power of the D’Backs.

"I think contained is a good word. Containing the power. I think both pitchers and both pitching staffs have to be aware of that. A mistake could be hit out of the ballpark. This ballpark is, I think, a good place to hit. Like our park. Both offensively and on the pitching side, things have to be executed. Hitters have to take their swings and pitchers have to make good pitches throughout the course of this game."

Black on Jon Gray starting the Wild Card Game

Jon Gray will be starting for the Rockies in the game. Black discussed why he ultimately chose him to start for the Rockies.

"Jon’s been very solid for us about the last six, seven weeks the way he’s thrown the ball. He’s set up for this physically. He pitched last Wednesday, so here it is, going to be a week later. So his turn to pitch really falls on the right day with two extra days rest this time of year I think it’s an advantage for a pitcher. You can look at what he’s done statistically. His performance. This is the guy that we wanted on the mound."

Black on the differences of being a player and a coach or manager in the postseason

Bud Black appeared in the postseason as a pitcher with the Kansas City Royals in 1984 and 1985 (the latter of which he won a World Series). As a pitching coach with the Anaheim Angels, he won a World Series in 2002 and appeared in the playoffs in 2004 and 2005 as well so he has experienced the playoffs in both ways. He talked about some of the differences.

"Like any player who becomes a coach or manager or an executive will tell you the same thing. Nothing beats being a player.It’s a different perspective from a coaching aspect or manager, that you know that some of the decisions you make, you know as the game moves along that you try to put your guys in the best spot to succeed. But it’s a little different. You’re a little older. You see it a little differently. Sometimes you feel as though the players are your kids and you want them to do well. But it’s a different feeling, for sure."

Next: Charlie Blackmon discussed the Wild Card Game too

He has never managed a postseason team before (he did manage the Padres in Game 163 in 2007 against the Rockies which, essentially, was a playoff situation). It will be interesting to see if he feels differently about it as a manager.