Colorado Rockies: 4 things they can do to improve in August

Give Chad Bettis one more start and then…

We detailed some of the issues that Chad Bettis faced against the Pittsburgh Pirates in this article. It has been part of a disturbing trend for the 29-year-old right-hander.

I know, I know. I get that Bettis is coming off arguably his best start of the season in Sunday’s win over the Dodgers. Statistically, it was certainly his best start since a May 5 outing against the New York Mets. However, it was an anomaly compared to an 8.54 ERA in June and a 13.75 ERA in two starts spanning 7.2 innings in July and August prior to Sunday’s outing.

It was also interesting to note that Bettis walked four batters and threw just 47 strikes among his 85 pitches. He did well to dance around the walks … but they were still there.

If he doesn’t do well in his next start, it shows Sunday’s outing was an outlier. If he does do well, great. That’s what the Rockies want out of their fifth starter.

There certainly are other possibilities to take his spot in the rotation if it comes to that. Antonio Senzatela is scheduled to return from the disabled list soon and could slide right into Bettis’ slot. That is the most likely scenario, but with the 40-man roster expansion coming on September 1 (as we discussed earlier), could Jeff Hoffman get another shot?

Perhaps not. Perhaps Bettis is the best answer for the Rockies in the fifth starter spot. However, with an estimated six starts left in the season, who do you trust more to take those starts? Bettis? Senzatela? Someone else?

That’s the question Bud Black and the Rockies have to figure out. Being a manager who favors veterans, Bettis will likely take his place in the next start. Best case, Bettis keeps what worked for him against the Dodgers going. Worst case, the Rockies have options heading into September.