Colorado Rockies: Can they hold off the Milwaukee Brewers again?

Despite the offseason not being full of free agent signings (so far), there is one team that has been making plenty of moves. While the Colorado Rockies shored up their bullpen in the offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers have made a lot of moves this offseason in order to continue on the path to a Wild Card Spot.

I actually briefly analyzed them as one of the six teams the Rockies should watch out for. As the offseason winds down though, now is the time to truly assess how to beat the Brewers.

Last year was a very good year in Milwaukee as they finished in second place in the National League Central and third in the Wild Card (just one game behind the Rockies for the second Wild Card spot). It was a comeback season for the Brewers as they finished fourth in the National League Central in 2016 with a 73-89 mark.

When looking at that, it seems as though something just clicked with them last season and the switch was flipped. The Brewers had a hard-fought 2017 against the Cubs (for the division) and Rockies (for the Wild Card) alike.

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After the 2016 season was over, few would have ever projected the Brewers in second place in the NL Central, let alone first for a brief stint before the Cubs once again caught fire. In baseball, you must expect the unexpected with every team. Many did not do that with the Brewers last season.

What will 2018 bring for both teams? Milwaukee has certainly improved. Has Colorado done enough to hold off the Brewers if another Wild Card race ensues?

What are Colorado’s strengths when stacked up against the Brewers? As of now, we know that the Rockies may just have the best bullpen in the National League. The bullpen was crucial for the Rockies last season and could well once again be a determining factor in their success this season.

Offensively, the Rockies could have the edge as well. Of course, when you think of Colorado, you automatically think of Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon. However, this season, the Rockies will need contributions from Ian Desmond, Trevor Story and Gerardo Parra, three players who struggled at times last season. If Colorado’s lineup performs up to its potential, it will be one of the strongest in the National League.

Defensively, you have to point out that the Brewers now have a power outfield in Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain, although the Rockies were third overall last season in team defense … while Milwaukee ranked 29th. Gold Glove-caliber play from Arenado, LeMahieu and Story make Colorado’s infield one of the strongest in the league.

Like Colorado’s neighbors in the National League West, the San Francisco Giants, the Brewers made some crucial moves this offseason. They reaped the rewards from the Miami Marlins dropping their payroll like a hot potato by trading for Yelich. After Yelich (not very long after if I may add), they signed Cain to a cash-packed contract. These are usually the moves you’d like your team to be making to continue on the path to success. All the Brewers really need now is an ace and they may really be a potential threat to Colorado … and plenty of other teams in the National League.

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Final Thoughts

How exactly do the Rockies beat the Brewers? Last year, Colorado fought off Milwaukee and kept them out of the number two Wild Card spot. But last year isn’t good enough. The Brewers are looking to win and win now. Based on the offseason moves, they are about to do another big push forward with their franchise. If the Rockies want to be the top dog in the Wild Card and the National League, it’s teams like they Brewers they have to overcome. In 2018, in order to win and win as much as the Rockies want to win, they have to beat the Brewers.