Colorado Rockies: A look at the results of their recent tough schedule

The Colorado Rockies ended their 46 game stretch of facing teams with a record over .500 on a high note as, for the first time in franchise history, they swept the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta in a four-game series.

The Colorado Rockies have a much deserved off day of rest after ending their 46-game stretch, going all the way back to June 26, of playing teams all over .500 with an excellent 30-16 record, or a .652 winning percentage. This stretch included facing the Dodgers seven times, the Giants, Mariners, and Diamondbacks six times, the reigning World Champion Astros, Cardinals, and Braves four times, and the Athletics, Brewers and Pirates three times a piece.

To end the stretch, the Rockies swept the Braves in a four game series, which had never been done in Rockies history. The only time the Rockies swept the Braves in Atlanta in a three game series was in 1997 from September 12-14.

If the Rockies were to play like they did in the last 46 games for a full season, they’d have a record of 106-56.

A look at the pitching staff in this span

In this span, the Rockies pitching really did well as they had an ERA of 3.65. In the month of July as a whole, the Rockies starting pitchers had a record of 10-2 with an ERA of 2.99. Their opponent’s also had a slash line of .202/.278/.320 as well. For the relievers, they had their best month of the season as they went 7-4 with an ERA of 3.49 and an opponent slash of .255/.325/.386.

Neither the rotation or bullpen have done as well in August as the starters have an ERA of 4.28 and an opponent slash of .240/.315/.399. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.05 and an opponent slash of .256/.315/.456.

Looking at some individuals in this span, for the starters, Kyle Freeland, unsurprisingly, has done the best. In this span, which is 10 starts, he is 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA and an opponent slash of .215/.306/.305.

German Marquez had an ERA of 2.87 in nine starts in this span with 6-1 record and .210/.261/.342 opponent slash as well.

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A look at the offense

During this 46 game span, the Rockies offense has performed slightly better than what they have averaged this season overall. Overall, they are hitting .254/.319/.429 and in their most recent 46 game span, they hit .259/.320/.442. These numbers were better in July as they hit .278/.339/.490. They also averaged 5.3 runs a game in this span, when they have averaged just 4.7 overall this year.

In the month of August, the offense is hitting .240/.305/.383 and just averaging 4 runs a game. Their numbers are down due to their slide in the beginning of the month in which the Rockies lost seven of nine to start out August. In their last nine games, though, the Rockies are 8-1 and they are hitting .252/.310/.415 and they are averaging 4.8 runs a game.

Looking at individual stats, Nolan Arenado hit .294/.368/.547 in this stretch with 12 homers and 31 RBI (for a 162 game slate, that would be equivalent to 43 homers and 110 RBI). He also had 28 runs and 50 hits.

Trevor Story had a great stretch in the 46 games as he hit .345/.383/.614 with 10 home runs, 26 RBI, 14 doubles, and 59 hits. He also had an excellent .412 BABIP in this span as well.

Per the Rockies PR team, since May 15, Story has an average of .326, which is 4th best in the majors and 2nd in the NL. Since June 28 (which is three games into their 46 game stretch), Story is hitting .352, which leads the NL, and he’s hitting .385 on the road. On the road as well, he has had a hit in 18 of his last 21 road games and, overall, he has reached base safely in 16 straight games.

Carlos Gonzalez also hit .306/.366/.541 with 7 homers and 23 RBI in the Rockies last 46 game stretch.

Final Thoughts

The Rockies will enter Tuesday only a half a game back of the Arizona Diamondbacks for first place in the NL West (Arizona is also off today).

For the rest of the way, the Rockies only face teams over .500 in 20 games for the rest of the season (they end the season with the Nationals in Denver but the Nats are one game under .500 entering Monday), which is about 53 percent of the rest of their schedule including seven more against the Dbacks and six more against the Dodgers.

In fact, of the 14 contenders in baseball right now, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports ranked their schedules and the Rockies have the sixth easiest.

In other words, if the Rockies keep playing like they have shown they can here in their past 46 game stretch, Rockies fans, you should have a Rocktober to remember.