Alex Rodriguez on Colorado Rockies: “They could be very dangerous”

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 02: Baseball analyst and former player Alex Rodriguez looks on during batting practice prior to the start of the American League WildCard Game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on October 2, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 02: Baseball analyst and former player Alex Rodriguez looks on during batting practice prior to the start of the American League WildCard Game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on October 2, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Count ESPN Sunday Night Baseball analyst Alex Rodriguez as one of the people who thinks the Colorado Rockies could have a chance at the postseason in 2020.

In a teleconference on Thursday morning (Colorado time), ESPN Sunday Night Baseball commentators Matt Vasgersian (play-by-play) and Alex Rodriguez (analyst and former Major League Baseball All-Star) were discussing the upcoming 2020 MLB campaign. Among the topics that came up were the chances that the Colorado Rockies had to make the postseason thanks to a condensed 60-game campaign.

Although considered by oddsmakers a longshot to make the World Series, A-Rod was quick to praise the Rockies and what they have on offense heading into 2020.

“They still have (Nolan) Arenado, (Charlie) Blackmon and Trevor Story,” Rodriguez said. “And the thing to think about as a player, I always found it incredibly challenging, especially in the middle of the hot summer, to go there as a visitor.“So, starting the time we are starting now, I think they have the unique opportunity to even improve on their record from last year. So, they could be very dangerous.”

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Vasgersian called himself, “as big a Buddy Black fan as there is among anybody on the planet” while adding, “I have the utmost faith in his kind of style and leadership.”

He went on to say that, with a 60-game schedule, anything was possible for the Rockies if Colorado’s pitching came together.

“…the pitching component is what’s failed the Rockies the past couple of years, which a lot of people thought that they had taken a step forward in that department, and then there were some rather mysterious regressions on the roster,” Vasgersian said, with a subtle nod to Kyle Freeland’s well-documented struggles in 2019.

Vasgersian also referenced the magical Rocktober run of 2007 with his thoughts on what could be for the Rockies in 2020.

“I think if they pitch; getting in and out of Denver, the climate adjustment, the altitude adjustment, their biggest challenge always. If they can pitch and they can catch fire, maybe the way they did the end of 2007 season, I don’t know if they will win 20 out of 22 again, but yeah, why not? The Rockies are a live dog for me,” Vasgersian said.

Colorado is coming off a 71-91 record in 2019 after back-to-back postseason appearances.

Next. Some of the more interesting betting odds involving the Rockies in 2020. dark

ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball is not scheduled to broadcast the Rockies in 2020. However, ESPN will carry the August 31 Rockies game against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. That is the only game currently slated to be televised on a national level. AT&T SportsNet will air all 60 Rockies regular-season games.