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Colorado Rockies: You should have seen (at least some of) this coming

ByNoah Yingling|
DENVER, CO - APRIL 7: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies stands on the field after being stranded at third base in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on April 7, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Dodgers defeated the Rockies 12-6 to sweep the three game series.(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 7: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies stands on the field after being stranded at third base in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on April 7, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Dodgers defeated the Rockies 12-6 to sweep the three game series.(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – APRIL 01: Chad Bettis #35 of the Colorado Rockies throws a pitch in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 01, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – APRIL 01: Chad Bettis #35 of the Colorado Rockies throws a pitch in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 01, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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However, Tyler Anderson and Chad Bettis are dragging down the rotation, and you could see it coming a mile away.

Tyler Anderson is on the disabled list now with knee issues. Apparently, he was playing through the knee injury that he sustained in spring training (never a smart idea to play through injuries). He pitched to an ERA of 11 in two starts (nine innings).

Chad Bettis has been bad all around bad and he hasn’t seen the results that the Rockies want in a very long time. This year, he has pitched to a 11.88 ERA in 2 starts this year (8 1/3 IP, 14 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 6 BB, 5 K).

The last time he gave the Rockies a “quality start” was on August 12, 2018. In 20 starts last season, only seven were “quality starts” so he’s not a consistent starter for the Rockies. Once Antonio Senzatela returns from the IL, I suspect that Bettis’ time in rotation will be over.

Bullpen

The Rockies bullpen is pitching to a 4.01 ERA, which is 13th in baseball so they are pitching better than they were last season. However, DJ Johnson, Carlos Estevez, and Mike Dunn have all struggled in their appearances as they each have ERAs of 4.91 or higher.

Last year’s goat, Bryan Shaw, has been a saving grace for the Rockies bullpen thus far as he has an ERA of 1.17. However, his walk rate of 4.7 per nine innings thus far could come back to haunt him if it continues.

The bullpen has really been the least concerning thing for the Rockies thus far. Part of it is because the bullpen, lately, has been coming in when the Rockies are already well behind but it has been ok to start the season.

Final Thoughts

There’s no question that the Rockies offense will get better over time and the rotation will start to pitch better.

However, don’t be surprised to see some regression in the rotation and the offense struggle throughout the season because the Rockies do not have the depth that they should regardless of injuries.

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