Colorado Rockies: 3 slumps in the middle of the lineup

The Colorado Rockies’ 4-2 record to begin the season has been a welcomed surprise. They are currently in a three-way tie for first place in National League West and there have been many things to be pleased with after the first full week of play.

However, there is a glaring issue that needs to be ironed out if the Colorado Rockies are going to continue their winning ways going forward.

Charlie Blackmon, Ryan McMahon, and Brendan Rodgers are in horrible slumps to start the season for the Colorado Rockies

Out of the gates, the Rockies’ lineup has three important pieces in the lineup who are struggling mightily at the plate. Charlie Blackmon, Ryan McMahon, and Brendan Rodgers are a combined 8-for-62 (.129) with only five RBI and seven runs scored while striking out an unacceptable 24 times. To make matters worse, they are 4-for-18 (.222) with runners in scoring position.

Of course, these numbers are magnified because it is only a week into the season. Had these slumps were to occur a few months from now, no one would probably notice. However, that doesn’t mean the Rockies don’t need these three to step up sooner or later as Kris Bryant, C.J. Cron, and Connor Joe will go through some struggles themselves and will need someone else to help them pick up the slack.

They also need to start providing the pitching staff with some run support. Over 26.2 innings, the Colorado bullpen has given up a mere two earned runs (0.68 ERA). That success will likely not continue for much longer and the Rockies need to provide them some needed insurance runs to give them a greater margin for error in the later innings.

A day off on Friday is probably coming for Rodgers with Chicago Cubs right-handed starter Marcus Stroman slated to take the mound. That means manager Bud Black will be changing a few things around in the lineup. Maybe a shuffle in the lineup for Blackmon and McMahon and day off for Rodgers will help the snap out of their early-season funks.