Colorado Rockies: This is a must win homestand

Sorry everyone, but I am going to be hypocritical and do something that I absolutely despise.

From time to time there are games or series that someone will mention is a “must win” even though, in the grand scheme of a 162-game season, it isn’t.  For the Colorado Rockies, this upcoming seven-game homestand might possibly be a “must win.”

The Colorado Rockies are coming off the All-Star break in the worst possible way.  After losing six straight to close out the first half of the season, they are now under .500 for the first time since May 28 and are 2.5 games back of the second Wild Card spot. There are a few reasons for why this is a make or break homestand so let’s go over them.

First, this is the Rockies last full homestand before the July 31 trade deadline and they have a 24-19 home record.  If they struggle, the likelihood that they become sellers at the deadline increases dramatically.

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These seven games are against the last place teams in both the NL Central and West with Reds and Giants coming to town.  If the Rockies can’t break out of their slump against these two teams, then the chances of turning things around out east against the Yankees and Nationals seems almost impossible.

Finally, this is a “must win” because Bud Black’s recent decision to recall Kyle Freeland from Triple-A Albuquerque shows just how important these games truly are.  In six minor league starts since being sent down, Freeland has struggled mightily, except for his last start on July 3 when he pitched 7 innings while only allowing one run.  It would have been nice to see if he could build off that performance with one more start before getting called up but the Rockies desperately need their former Cy Young candidate.

I hate to say it but if the Rockies don’t go, at a minimum, 5-2 on this 7-game stand at Coors Field, their playoff hopes will likely be gone by the end of July.  Let’s hope that’s not the case.