Colorado Rockies: 5 bold predictions for after the All-Star break

Colorado’s rotation will improve thanks to a rejuvenated Kyle Freeland

OK, maybe that’s not a bold prediction as the Rockies entered the All-Star break dead last in starter ERA. However, there is a lot of room for improvement in the rotation … and it will happen in the second half.

Here’s why. Kyle Freeland will return from Triple-A and solidify the rotation, becoming a strong third option along with German Marquez and Jon Gray. Both Marquez and Gray will reduce their hits allowed (Marquez has given up 128 in 127.1 innings while Gray has surrendered 107 in 108 innings) and that will be key for the rotation as well.

With Freeland, Gray and Marquez pitching well at the front end, Antonio Senzatela and Peter Lambert can become the fourth and fifth pitchers and grow into those roles. If both can just find some decent consistency, Colorado has the pieces in place to have a good enough one through five rotation to let their offense win games.

Gray has been one of the most pleasant surprises for the Rockies in the first half. I predict that Freeland earns that honor in the second half as the rotation morphs from a question mark into a strength. Will it be as strong as we thought it would be when the season began? No, but it will be strong enough to help the Rockies win the games they need to win.

So if the Rockies aren’t going to get outside help for their rotation, will they pull a trade somewhere else? We believe so…