Colorado Rockies: The bullpen has been woeful in recent games

Remember when the Colorado Rockies’ bullpen was a huge reason for the team’s early season success? I sure do. In fact, I wrote about it in this article. That seems like so long ago.

The Rockies have lost eight of their last 10 games, dropping their season record to 17-18 and a lot of the blame can be squarely placed on the woes of the bullpen.

The bullpen has struggled a lot for the Colorado Rockies recently

In those 10 games, the ‘pen has surrendered 19 earned runs in 27.2 innings of work (6.29 ERA).  This recent collapse has led to the Rockies’ relievers to be dead last in the Major League in ERA (5.40), WHIP (1.54), and batting average (.265).

Leading this dumpster fire has been Jhoulys Chacín, who has pitched like a candidate to be designated for assignment so far this season. In 15.1 innings pitched (12 appearances), Chacín has allowed 14 earned runs (8.22 ERA), 14 hits, and seven walks, while striking out 13. Throw in the fact that he has held the opposing team scoreless in only half of his 12 outings and it brings the thought of just how much he has left to give the Rockies.

Sadly, the rest of the bullpen hasn’t been much better.

Currently, the only reliable reliever is Tyler Kinley, who has been lights out with a minuscule 0.68 ERA in 13.1 innings over 15 appearances.

There is also Daniel Bard, who was solid to start the year but he has lost two games in a row for the Rockies.

If the Rockies were to make a move involving Chacín, I think they need to recall Justin Lawrence from Triple-A Albuquerque immediately. It was already perplexing when they sent him down to the minors on May 8 only so they could replace him with lefty Lucas Gilbreath.

Gilbreath has been shelled in almost all of his outings while Lawrence has allowed only three earned runs in 12.1 innings (2.19 ERA) in 11 appearances.

Until the bullpen can get back on track, the Rockies can continue to expect getting swept on the road and losing series to inferior teams (such as the Kansas City Royals) at home. If they don’t figure it out soon, any illusions of making a playoff run will all but vanish.