Colorado Rockies: Breaking down the remaining schedule

Over the weekend, the Colorado Rockies completed a historic run by sweeping a four-game series at the Atlanta Braves. Not only was it the first time the Rockies had ever won a four-game series in Atlanta, it matched a Major League record of 46 straight games played against teams with a .500 or above record.

The Colorado Rockies finished the 46-game stretch dating back to June 25, an astonishing 30-16, raising their record to 68-56 and only a half-game back of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West and into a three-way tie in the Wild Card with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers entering play Monday.

With the Rockies getting a well-deserved off day before finally playing a team that is under .500, as the San Diego Padres come to Coors for a three-game series on Tuesday, it is time to break down the remaining 38 games on the schedule.

• 12 series remaining against eight different teams (seven at home, five on the road)
• 23 home games, 15 road games
• Opponents combined winning percentage .505 (507-495)
• 25 games against teams .500 or above
• 13 games against teams under .500, including seven games against the National League’s worst record (Padres).
• 26 games against teams in the NL West, including seven games against the Diamondbacks and six against Dodgers
• 3 games against the Cardinals
• 4 games against the Phillies
• 4 off days, including Monday
• Final series of the season against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field

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I have predicted in the past that 89 wins should make the Wild Card game, which means that the Rockies would have to finish the season 21-17. As long as the Rockies do not play down to their opponent in the seven games against the Padres and take advantage of the 23 home games, 89 wins should be easily attainable.

But the Rockies should not settle on the Wild Card and set their sights on the much bigger prize: the NL West. With more than a third of the remaining games against the Diamondbacks and Dodgers, the Rockies have great chance of winning their first division title in franchise history. More importantly, a division title avoids the “anything can happen” one-game playoff that is the Wild Card game.

The remaining six weeks of the season sets up well for the Rockies. They have the best record in the NL since they began the record 46-game streak and, as long as they don’t let up, the Rockies will be playing in Rocktober.