Colorado Rockies: Pitching will be the shortcoming in 2018

We are now officially in the regular season and that means we get to see the Colorado Rockies more often … and playing meaningful games. Though, as of now, I’m not liking what I’m seeing with this team. Even though it’s the third day into the season, I’m already seeing the cracks appear and right now there’s a very big one … the pitching.

Like I said, I get it’s only the third day of the regular season and that Rome wasn’t built in a day or whichever line you want to use, but this is not a good look. It’s most certainly not a good look for a team that wants to contend. The Rockies are currently 0-2 in the division, though most would have expected them to be 1-1 or 2-0. I truly believe one of the biggest factors of the Rockies losing this series to the Diamondbacks is because of their pitching.

I’ll say this … it’s not the bullpen. It’s the rotation. With guys like Chris Rusin, Adam Ottavino, Bryan Shaw and Wade Davis, you don’t have to worry when the ball is their hands. I’m more concerned with the likes of Jon Gray and Tyler Anderson and due to the fact that the Rockies have their final game in Phoenix tonight also German Marquez. However, I do have faith in Marquez as I wrote about him here.

As for the back end of the rotation which right now would be Chad Bettis and Kyle Freeland, (though Antonio Senzatela probably could’ve taken the fifth spot), I’m not sure what to expect but I probably won’t be as optimistic as I’ve been in recent articles.

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Let’s take a look back that these past two pitching performances. In the Opening Day game, Jon Gray only pitched four innings, giving up three runs (all earned) and six hits and walking three batters. That currently leaves him with a current ERA of 6.75. That’s not really the pitching outing I’d expect from the ace of the team. I’m not expecting Jon Gray to be Clayton Kershaw, but he must be able to put up 5+ innings may reassure the masses.

As for Tyler Anderson, Friday night was … well, let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. You thought Jon Gray had a bad line? Anderson said hold my … cup (you know what I mean).

Looking at his line, Anderson gave up seven runs (all earned), along with five hits, and four walks. That all happened in the span of 2.1 innings, leaving him with an ERA of 27.00. This is why I worry about the rest of the rotation … and not for just this series against the D-backs.

Bud Black is probably looking to get 200 innings out of Jon Gray. Though if the way his outings are going continues, it’ll be hard to meet that goal.

As for the rest of the Colorado Rockies rotation, the jury is still out. However, I do have faith in them and, as of now, I am optimistic about how their outings will go. This rotation has been praised by some and cursed by others. I said this earlier that we were only three days in, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to ignore what’s happening pitching-wise.

The Colorado Rockies truly believe they can win a World Series with the team they have now. Seeing the way pitching has been going, I see it being hard for them to even contend for the division, let alone win the World Series.

Jeff Bridich didn’t want to bring a veteran pitcher so this is the rotation they have. As of now, this young pitching corps is not keeping up with the expectations that people had for them and that’s a problem that can’t be overlooked.

Next: Colorado's formula for making the playoffs in 2018

Even if the Rockies are able to contend (which I still hope will happen), the pitching is a cause for concern and the Rockies shouldn’t look over it.

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