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Why the Colorado Rockies will be under the .500 mark in 2020

By Kevin Henry

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 05: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies watches batting practice before the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 05, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 05: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies watches batting practice before the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 05, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 7: Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies argues a call with home plate umpire Mark Ripperger during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park September 7, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 7: Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies argues a call with home plate umpire Mark Ripperger during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park September 7, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Colorado’s rotation stumbles again

Last year, Colorado sent 11 starters to the mound. Those 11 posted a 5.87 ERA, which was the second-highest in franchise history, only trailing 1999’s mark of 6.19. Those 11 also threw 842.1 innings. Compare that to the previous season when the Rockies used just seven starters and led the National League with 932 innings.

More from Rox Pile

Yes, injuries happened … but so did poor pitching.

This year, the Rockies are relying on Kyle Freeland to bounce back from a horrific 2019, as well as German Marquez to improve upon his 4.76 ERA and 29 home runs surrendered and Jon Gray to continue the momentum he found last season on the mound. But what about after that?

Who will be the fourth and fifth starters for this team? There are a lot of internal possibilities but each carries a question mark as a season-long solution. Will the Rockies look outside the organization in free agency or trades? The Rockies don’t have much to spend and, even if they did, spending big on pitching hasn’t been done since the days of Mike Hampton.

If Colorado’s starters can’t find their rhythm, it will be hard for the Rockies to be successful in 2020.

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