Depth and the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers jumps at home plate in celebration of his walk-off two run homerun, for a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies, during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers jumps at home plate in celebration of his walk-off two run homerun, for a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies, during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

There is a lot of difference in the standings between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers. There is also seemingly a lot of difference in the two clubs in terms of the minor league levels.

Last season when the Colorado Rockies fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 163 at Dodger Stadium, that was the closest the Rockies had been to ever winning a National League West title. This season, the Dodgers have flexed their muscles … and they have done it with a next generation of talent.

Flash back to June and the last time the Rockies visited Los Angeles. Colorado left Chavez Ravine after three consecutive walk-off losses and all three walk-offs came off the bats of Dodgers rookies (Will Smith, Alex Verdugo and Matt Beaty). It was the first time in franchise history that Colorado had lost three straight games to the same team by walk-offs.

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Including those games, Colorado is 19-45 heading into their return to Los Angeles tonight when Peter Lambert takes the mound for the Rockies. Lambert started the June 22 game against the Dodgers, going five innings and allowing seven hits and three runs.

Certainly there has been a lot go wrong for the Rockies this season, including losing all five Opening Week starters to the injured list. However, injuries have also shown that the Rockies are razor thin when it comes to their Major League-ready depth. The Dodgers, meanwhile, have already shown they have players who can step in and make an impact on the Major League level … including in clutch situations against the Rockies.

Here’s a reminder, by the way, of where the Rockies stand at the minor league level…

One of the priorities the Rockies need to have in the offseason? Rebuilding the depth within their farm system. That’s one of the things we discuss on the latest Rox Pile Rockies Report podcast. Click below to listen to the latest episode or simply click here.

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