Colorado Rockies: The 3 biggest tasks left in the 2019 season
For the Colorado Rockies, it has all come down to the last 18 games of the season.
Unlike years past when there were Wild Card standings to watch and postseason races to track, Colorado Rockies fans aren’t worried about that this season. The bigger concern is if the Rockies can avoid some dubious history.
There are only two franchises which have never had a 100-loss season: The Los Angeles Angels and the Colorado Rockies. At 60-84, the Rockies need to win just three of their remaining 18 games to keep that statistic alive.
It seems simple, right? However, in their last 20 games, the Rockies are just 3-17.
There has been nothing simple about this season for the Rockies … and avoiding history won’t be simple either. Coming off two consecutive postseason appearances, some (including this writer) thought Colorado would not see a Rocktober this year. Why? Well, there were three main reasons as I wrote in this article back in March. All three have happened … which are just some of the reasons why the Rockies are where they are today.
But that’s looking in the past. The point of this article is to look forward to the last 18 games of the season and see what there is left for the Rockies to do before the curtain falls on this disappointing campaign.
I’ve come up with three things the Rockies still have to do in 2019. See what you think.
Thing 1: Embrace the role of spoiler
Of Colorado’s remaining 18 games, only six come against National League teams that aren’t fighting for the postseason. This weekend’s three-game home series against the San Diego Padres and a late September visit for three games against the Giants are truly the only “meaningless” games in the standings for both teams.
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The other 12, however, are quite interesting.
The St. Louis Cardinals come into Coors Field on Tuesday for a three-game set leading the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central by 4.5 games (entering Monday’s play). After the Padres, into Denver come the New York Mets, 4 games back of the second Wild Card before Monday’s action.
Colorado then heads back to Chavez Ravine to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, who sit 4 games ahead of the Atlanta Braves for the best record in the National League.
After the series in San Francisco, the season ends with the Milwaukee Brewers visiting Denver for a three-game series. The Brewers currently sit 2 games out of the final National League Wild Card slot.
Rockies fans certainly remember it was Milwaukee who ended Colorado’s 2018 season. Wouldn’t there be a bit of redemption if Colorado could end their 2019 season by keeping them out of the playoffs?
Rise up, Rockies. Embrace the role of the spoiler against four teams who are likely licking their chops to face you when you’re down.
Sure, it’s not Rocktober. However, seeing the Rockies conquer some of the best teams in the National League with some series wins would provide a bit of a good feeling heading into the offseason.
Thing 2: See what the youngsters/new players have
It feels like we have said this numerous times, but the Rockies need to see what young players like Dom Nunez, Sam Hilliard, Josh Fuentes, Yonathan Daza and Garrett Hampson can bring when provided regular playing time.
Not occasional playing time. Regular.
The franchise also needs to see how pitchers such as Sam Howard, Phillip Diehl, Joe Harvey, Wes Parsons, Rico Garcia and James Pazos can make a difference on the mound … or can they?
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I understand the concept of competitive play, but rolling out Jake McGee, Wade Davis and Bryan Shaw does little to help the Rockies understand what the next generation of the bullpen can do against some of the best current teams in the National League.
Certainly, keeping the lack of a 100-loss season alive is great and playing spoiler is tremendous, but even more important is seeing what the Rockies actually have in some of these younger players and what they could (or could not) bring to the franchise in the future is more important.
Wins and losses at this stage of the season aren’t as impactful on the 2020 season as looking at young players now in actual game situations. Put in the fresh faces and let’s see how they perform.
Thing 3: Is there a starting pitcher out there?
Tim Melville has been a great story for the Rockies since being called up on August 21. With a 2-1 mark and 3.66 ERA, Melville has been the steadying force of the rotation since his arrival.
But is he good enough to be a part of the 2020 rotation?
Jeff Hoffman has had flashes of solid pitching over his last couple of starts. We talked about that in this article. But is he good enough to be a part of the 2020 rotation?
Peter Lambert is young and is learning on the job. After some rough outings, he had a good start on Sunday in the series finale in San Diego, allowing five hits and one run in five innings. Where does he fit into the 2020 plans?
And what about Antonio Senzatela?
Kyle Freeland, German Marquez and Jon Gray will return to the rotation next season. We have heard little about Tyler Anderson‘s status and Chad Bettis will be up for arbitration at the age of 31. Will he stay as a part of the franchise?
The back end of the rotation is currently a question mark and, if the Rockies don’t go after a free agent (as has been the case in recent times), Colorado will have to rely upon what it has in house.
What does that mean? It means some of the pitchers who will step onto the mound in September could also be taking the mound in April of 2020. Following that logic, let’s see how they perform against some of the NL’s best in these final 18 games and see where that lands them in a potential race to be a part of the 2020 rotation.