Colorado Rockies: 3 numbers show second-half stumble

The Colorado Rockies churned into the All-Star break with an 8-3 burst and hopes that the days after the Midsummer Classic would provide some positives heading into August. However, as hot as the Rockies were before the break, they have been as ice cold since.

Why? Let’s dive into some numbers.

These 3 numbers show just how tough the post-All-Star Game stretch has been for the Colorado Rockies

First, the record is MLB’s worst

Let’s start with the 5-13 record the Colorado Rockies have put together since All-Star Game festivities happened at Chavez Ravine. That’s a .278 winning percentage, and it’s the worst in all of baseball in that category. The San Francisco Giants (5-12, .294 winning percentage) are the only other MLB team to have a winning percentage under .300 since the All-Star break.

While the Rockies and Giants have been stumbling, consider that the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers have gone 15-3 since the break, virtually putting the division out of reach.

Second, the pitching can’t keep the other team from scoring

Part of the reason for the losing record after the break comes from the amount of runs the Rockies have given up during that time. Colorado pitchers have surrendered 106 runs since the All-Star Game. That’s the most in the National League and the second-highest in all of baseball, trailing only the Boston Red Sox (111 runs).

Boston pitching, meanwhile, has given up 21 home runs in their 17 games after the break (going 6-11 during that stretch). Colorado’s pitchers have served up 22 home runs in their 18 games, so the two teams are almost neck and neck in another not-so-great category.

With all of those runs, it’s no surprise that Colorado’s team ERA sits at 5.49 since the break, up from 4.88 in the first half of the season.

Third, the hits can’t keep up

Colorado is 3-4 since the break when the Rockies have had 10 or more hits in a game, including Sunday’s 6-4 loss at Arizona. Colorado has a Major League-leading 24 losses on the season when the team records 10 or more hits.

Will the Rockies be able to return home to Coors and shake off some of the second-half doldrums? The team went 2-4 against the Chicago White Sox and Dodgers in their only homestand after the All-Star break, so they will need to reverse some of the numbers above if they’re going to find better luck against the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals and the Diamondbacks this week.