Colorado Rockies: Where is the starting rotation going?

Most people expected the Colorado Rockies starting rotation to be the strong suit of the team. However, part of the reason why the Rockies lost 12 of 13 games was because the starting rotation had struggled but in the past two games, they have pitched much better.

The Colorado Rockies seem to be out of the slog of losing 12 our of 13 games as they have looked much better in the last two games, each of which they have won.

In those two games, the duo of German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela (who was just activated from the injured list) combined to pitch 15 1/3 innings with only one run allowed. Marquez pitched a complete game, one-hit shutout and Senzatela allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings.

Even with those two excellent starts, the Rockies starting pitcher’s ERA is 4.92, which is 21st in baseball and only ahead of the D’Backs among teams in the NL West.

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Part of the reason that the number is high is because the ineffectiveness of Tyler Anderson and Chad Bettis. Yesterday, Nick Groke of The Athletic noted on Twitter that the Rockies are moving Bettis to the bullpen and, perhaps, Anderson could be activated from the 10-day injured list in a week or so.

Considering that Anderson was pitching injured, it stands to reason that he will pitch to better numbers once he returns. If Senzatela pitches like he did on Monday, the Rockies rotation should be a lot better.

However, two of the biggest keys in the rotation have struggled to start the season. Kyle Freeland has pitched to a 1-3 record and a 5.40 ERA and Jon Gray has pitched to a 0-3 record and a 4.19 ERA. Obviously, some of the losses are contributed to the Rockies anemic offense but some of it is on them as well.

Because tomorrow’s offday, the Rockies are going to operate with a 4 man starting rotation (Freeland, Marquez, Gray, Senzatela) and a 9 man bullpen through the weekend. The next time they need a fifth starter is next Monday against Washington.

I would think that Bettis will start again on Monday if Anderson isn’t ready but either way, it looks like the Rockies rotation is back on the rails and, perhaps, the team is too.