Colorado Rockies: Needing the big hit when it matters

Tell me if you have heard this before: Sooner or later, the Colorado Rockies’ offense is going to bust out and, when they do, opposing teams are going to pay … and pay they will. To quote Ted Knight’s character Judge Smails in the movie Caddyshack, “Well? We’re waiting…”

The Colorado Rockies have too many offensive weapons throughout the lineup not to hit but, for some crazy reason, can’t seem to get that big hit when it’s most needed. They have struggled so mightily that the epic taco’s drought of ’18 has now reached a staggering 17 games. Last weekend, I broke down some of the ugly offensive numbers. Since the Rockies only scored seven runs in their latest three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field, I thought I would give an update.

In the last 17 games dating back to July 21, the Rockies have scored an average of 3.3 runs per game which is full run less than their 4.6 season average. They have failed to get on base with a batting average of .227 and when they have gotten on base they have hit a disgusting 23-130 (.177) with runners in scoring position leaving a total of 116 men on base.

The Rockies’ struggles start at the top where Charlie Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu have failed to set the table for the middle of the order. Chuck Nazty has been brutal hitting 8-for-40 in his last nine games. Since returning from the disabled list on August 2, LeMahieu has hit just as bad with an ugly 6-for-29. These numbers, plus the lack of stringing hits together, and the awful RISP has spelled disaster for Colorado’s offense.

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And, on top of all of this, at the bottom of the order, there is Ian Desmond, who is 7 for his last 39 (including his critical eighth inning strikeout in Wednesday’s 4-3 loss) and the catcher position in the eight spot contributing absolutely nothing to the lineup.

On the bright side, the Rockies are slumping but are still in the race and are fortunate enough to avoid the Clayton Kershaw in the upcoming four-game series against the Dodgers at Coors Field. More importantly, this team will hit because … well, why wouldn’t they? Sooner or later, someone is going to get that key hit. Right? Right?!?

With 25 of the remaining 48 games against teams ahead of them in the either the National League West or the NL Wild Card standings, the offense must get hot if the Rockies plan on staying in the playoff picture.

It all starts Thursday night against the Dodgers. A series victory would make up some serious ground in the playoff race. As long as the Rockies are not waiting for the offense to show up, they should do just that.