Colorado Rockies: 3 things that must be addressed in the month of August

The Colorado Rockies are 4-2 to start the season but they must address a few things to stay in the playoff hunt after August.

The Colorado Rockies have played fairly well to start the truncated 2020 season as they are 4-2 entering the month of August. However, in the first six games and on Friday, in particular, the Rockies’ issues were apparent. They started a stretch of 33 games in 34 days that will determine the fate of their season and how those issues are addressed will be pivotal.

For note, we are not considering a possible COVID-19 outbreak, as it has happened with the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. Obviously, an outbreak would be the biggest issue but for this, we are just considering the on-field roster issues.

Let’s dive in.

The closer situation for the Rockies

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Wade Davis is the Rockies closer at the moment but, at least at the moment, he’s the team’s least reliable reliever. He imploded on Friday against the Padres and he had a rocky (no pun intended) first appearance of the season against the Rangers.

Since the start of the 2019 season, Davis is 1-7 with an ERA of 9.13. If you cut that number in half, that’s still not a good ERA for a closer. He’s also allowing 10.7 hits per nine innings, nearly two home runs allowed per nine innings, more than six walks, a FIP of 6.14, and a WHIP of 1.897.

Once he returns from the injured list, Scott Oberg *should* be the Rockies closer since he is their best relief pitcher but, in the interim, either Jairo Diaz or Carlos Estevez should be the guys to turn to. However, Bud Black indicated to the media, including Rox Pile, after Davis’s implosion on Friday that he will still be the team’s closer.

"“We’re six games into the season,” said Black. “We’ll continue to watch all our players. We’ll critique them and evaluate them on the pitching side, on their stuff and how they’re throwing.”"

If Davis continues pitching poorly, the Rockies will have to make a move but how long will it take?