Colorado Rockies: This is where we separate the men from the boys

The Colorado Rockies have done what they needed to do to be in the hunt for the division and/or postseason. Now they have to do it all over again to win it.

The Colorado Rockies have six games left with the Los Angeles Dodgers and seven games left with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the last 25 games to finish the season. That makes those games paramount to the Rockies’ playoff chances.

Of course, the Rockies must first take this current series against the San Francisco Giants … and then they get seven straight all-important games at Coors Field against National League West division opponents. That’s the stuff only big market teams often get to watch in September. This year, it’s in Denver.

Colorado’s offense is heating up this month with Nolan Arenado due for an MVP-caliber bounce back from his recent road trip struggles. The Rockies will send Jon Gray, Kyle Freeland and Tyler Anderson to the mound against the Dodgers to start off this wild race to the finish. I like Colorado’s odds of taking that series from Los Angeles, but as the title says, this is where “we separate the men from the boys.” The cards have been dealt, the bets are being placed and the Rockies have to come out and win ballgames.

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The lineup is flush with players who can go on dynamic streaks with Trevor Story having a two-homer, five-RBI day Monday in a comeback win against the Giants. Charlie Blackmon has been more like himself in recent games, hitting 6-for-13 in three September games. Arenado will return to form because he’s one of the best in the business, and the rest of the lineup has potential too with DJ LeMahieu, Carlos Gonzalez and Ian Desmond each contributing to each series and players like Gerardo Parra and David Dahl chipping in. Oh yeah, Matt Holliday is back and seems to be rejuvenated.

The Rockies have a lineup that makes opposing managers nervous, no matter who they put on the hill. They have a rotation that has given mostly quality outings and, if the bullpen can find its stride when it matters most, they are also quite a unit.

So if the Rockies can find a way to get the most out of their players in the most important times, they can win the NL West and scare everyone in their way to the World Series. They can ill afford, however, to give any games away or have anyone not show up to the ballpark without their A game.

Let’s see some Rocktober!