Colorado Rockies: NL Wild Card is out of the question

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DENVER, CO – JULY 25: A general view of the stadium as the Colorado Rockies take on the Houston Astros during interleague play at Coors Field on July 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Astros 3-2. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies are currently 59-52 coming off a win in the 3-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. This puts the Rockies 2 games out of first place in the NL West and 2.5 back in the Wild Card. With the rest of August and September being the last two months of the regular season, the Colorado Rockies are really going to have to go after winning the division in order to contend. Them getting a Wild Card spot is no longer an option.

Before the series against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Colorado Rockies were coming off a 4-game winning streak and moved up to 2nd place in the NL West while the Los Angeles Dodgers fell to 3rd. This was a move that was needed to boost the Rockies further towards contending. However, after hitting a snag while playing the Cardinals and Brewers with many blaming the bullpen for the losses (as well as the offense), they are once again back to 3rd with the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks being tied for 1st.

Looking at the NL Wild Card, the Colorado Rockies are in 5th place with the 1st spot going to the Brewers, who are up by 1.5 games with the Atlanta Braves following in 2nd. Both of those teams are also playing in very close division races, but if they prove to not take 1st in their respective divisions, they’ll be the teams to get the Wild Card spots. This puts the Rockies in a bind when it comes to the WC. So where does it lead them? If they want to contend, the best chance they have is by winning the NL West pennant.

DENVER, CO – JUNE 19: Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the New York Mets in the seventh inning of a game at Coors Field on June 19, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

It’s not inconceivable for the Rockies to get back in first place as they had a small stint in June of holding the 1st place crown. However, the key question really will be how do they essentially get there and when that happens how do they stay on top?

In all honesty, the change is most clearly starts with the bullpen. If they can’t get their stuff together and hold off an opposing offense, the Rox won’t be a competitive team but with guys like Scott Oberg and Adam Ottavino having dominant outings, it shows that there is hope for the Rockies bullpen.

Although we want to point fingers at the players, we also have to look at the decisions manager Bud Black is making during critical situations. It’s quite obvious we’re all confused as to why Black would give the nod to Wade Davis after letting the Cards walk-off and then to only have the Brewers do the same thing when he was back on the mound in the 9th.

Pitching is, of course, not the only aspect Black has to manage. The decision to have their 7th batter in the lineup bunt was a bit questionable to many during Saturday’s game. In other words, there have been many puzzling decisions that were made by Bud Black, but whichever decision he makes he’ll have to live with and answer for the consequences whether good or bad.

MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 05: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated by third base coach Stu Cole #39 following a solo home run during the eleventh inning of a game at Miller Park on August 5, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

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Let’s jump on the hypothetical train that the Colorado Rockies have reclaimed 1st place in the NL West, now how do they stay on top? The Rockies games have almost turned into a very repetitive formula.

The way the starting rotation has been pitching they can go for around 7-8 innings a game which leaves the need for only 3 relievers at the most. Though the Rockies can’t forget that they have to put up an offensive effort as well. Though it shouldn’t be hard with hard hitters like Trevor Story, Carlos Gonzalez, Ian Desmond and Nolan Arenado putting up the numbers that they have.

In the end, the Colorado Rockies could overtake the NL West and hold out both the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. However, they have to actually want it enough by playing well and they have to pinpoint the problems they have right now. That can be hard for a team especially when we’re in the final months of regular season baseball, but it’s what needed if they want to contend.

Next. Where Has the Offense Gone?. dark

This is a team that has the keys to victory, but they just appear to be jamming the key into the lock while they should be easily sliding it in. They’re next few games will most likely be competitive, should prove to be a strong outcome in their favor. Either way, they most likely can’t make the playoffs via a Wild Card spot.

Note: Want to read an opinion on why the Rockies will miss the postseason? Click here.

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