Colorado Rockies podcast: Was Nolan Arenado an NL MVP snub?

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome in one of our contributors, Kevin Larson (aka @SABRSkeptic on Twitter), as we swap out Kevins for this episode.

He and I talk about a bevy of topics. We lead off with the Colorado Rockies sweep of the Houston Astros and we analyze some of the good things and bad things from the sweep and the Rockies recent play, in general.

We also take a look at the Rockies against the Philadelphia Phillies. Rockies manager Bud Black told the media, including Rox Pile, that Chi Chi Gonzalez is going to be skipped in the Rockies starting rotation so it will be German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela, and Jon Gray going for the Rockies. Gonzalez will return to the rotation in the Rockies road trip next week in San Francisco.

The Rockies will see one of the best starters in the National League, Aaron Nola. Nola has had an excellent start to 2021 thus far after coming in 7th in the NL Cy Young voting in 2020 and coming in 3rd in 2018 (that’s when Kyle Freeland came in 4th).

We then discuss a hot-button issue on Twitter this week among Rockies fans:

Was Nolan Arenado snubbed in NL MVP voting while he was with the Colorado Rockies?

Kevin and I discuss our thoughts and opinions on that and we also take a look at the 1997 and 2000 NL MVP races where Colorado Rockies right fielder Larry Walker won the MVP and Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton was, arguably, snubbed in MVP voting.

We then step into Kevin’s wheelhouse: betting odds and picks.

If you haven’t already checked it out, here are Kevin’s previews and over/unders for the Rockies from before the season started and so far, he is doing pretty well.

We discuss some picks for the Rockies and for baseball, in general, for this weekend that may be good (or not good) to bet on.

We then wrap up with some final things to check out in the betting odds this week and some of the Rockies offensive stats on Statcast entering Wednesday and some of the leaders surprised both of us.

You can check out the podcast above or find it anywhere you listen to your podcasts.

As a note, our personal opinions on betting odds do not necessarily reflect the views of Rox Pile as a whole or FanSided. When it comes to gambling, know when to stop before you start. If you think you might have a gambling problem, call the National Council on Problem Gambling Hotline at (800) 522-4700.