Signs show that the Colorado Rockies are trending toward contention for the NL West

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The bullpen is a mess, but it’s working

Along the same lines as the point about Kyle Freeland’s struggles, the bullpen comes to mind. Currently, the Rockies are without their prized closer Wade Davis and have seen the likes of Mike Dunn, Seunghwan Oh and Bryan Shaw struggle lately. All of this has forced Rockies manager Bud Black to sort of piece together his bullpen on a nightly basis, often having to make adjustments mid-game or mid-inning when his guys just don’t have it that night.

Currently, Scott Oberg is the acting closer for the Rockies, and he has been lights out for the most part. Other than that, there really are not any roles cemented for anyone. One night Chad Bettis is pitching in mop-up duty and the next he is in a set-up role — which I actually really like, but I will leave this for a separate topic for you all to read on another day.

That being said, with all of the struggles and confusion the bullpen has faced lately, the team is still coming out on top. Like I said with Freeland, imagine what this club could look like when/if the bullpen ever gets to the level it’s expected to be at?

Colorado is figuring out how to come through in the clutch

So many close wins during this stretch, including four walk-offs over the last week. Sure, these have been against pitchers and teams that you’d like to see the Rockies blow away — but that just really isn’t in the nature of this sport.

Over the course of a 162 game season, you are going to find yourself in a ton of close ballgames — and the Rockies are showing everyone that they can overcome just about anything to end up on top at the end of the game.

Especially with these games against dangerous teams like the Blue Jays, Cubs and Mets coming up and then a long stretch if NL West games in the latter part of June, it is important that the Rockies are learning how to prevail in close games and to get timely hits in the clutch.