Colorado Rockies: Don’t be surprised if Wade Davis remains closer

In the aftermath of the 7-6 walkoff victory by the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon, there are two things for sure. First, these Cucarachas simply aren’t going to die. Second, Colorado is going to have to figure out their pitching strategy when they have a lead heading into the ninth.

Wade Davis once again struggled after being reinserted in the closing role, continuing a confounding season as the Colorado Rockies finisher. After giving up three runs without recording an out on Sunday, his ERA has now risen to 10.97 in 25 games at 20th and Blake. Nightmarish numbers to be sure, and numbers that once again became a problem for a Colorado team looking to continue its recent momentum.

However, there is the flip side to Davis as well. With a 0.63 ERA on the road in 16 games (14.1 innings) and the Rockies heading out on a seven-game road trip through Arizona and St. Louis starting on Monday, there is a solid chance that Colorado manager Bud Black will not pull Davis from the role … for now.

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With Scott Oberg sidelined for the rest of the season after developing a blood clot, the Rockies have limited options when it comes to potential closers. There is Davis and there is Carlos Estevez, who served as Colorado’s closer for a portion of the 2016 slate. Estevez threw two scoreless innings after Davis left Sunday’s game, but did allow Brian Anderson‘s run-scoring double in the ninth that gave Miami a 6-4 lead.

Could Estevez turn into a closer later in the season? Absolutely. However, after throwing just 16 pitches on Sunday and with the team heading out of Denver, don’t be surprised if Davis is given at least one more chance by Black.

Black is loyal to his veterans (as shown with a struggling Bryan Shaw last season and Ian Desmond‘s constant spot in the lineup over his first two campaigns in Colorado). Don’t be surprised if that loyalty remains true with Davis if he gets a chance against the Diamondbacks.

When asked about the role of Davis moving forward in Sunday’s postgame media scrum, Black was noncommittal, saying he would continue to evaluate all 25 players. One of those is absolutely Davis and the role he will play moving forward.