After another gut-wrenching loss, Rockies' Chase Dollander looks to shine in his MLB debut

The Colorado Rockies bested their two-run scoring average on another freezing cold night at Coors Field. And yet, four runs wasn’t enough either as Colorado’s late-inning pitching continued its tale of woe.

Saturday in Denver, the Rockies took an early lead on a Sean Bouchard homer, but it mattered none as they lost to the A’s 7-4 at Coors Field. The loss dropped Colorado to 1-7 so far this season, and the Rockies will need a special start from Chase Dollander today in order to snap a horrifically bad early-season losing skid.

Going into today’s game, which starts at 1:10 p.m. in Denver, the Rockies have lost six straight games and Saturday’s total of four runs was the most they’ve scored in any of those losses. Colorado’s bullpen also has an ERA of over six during that same stretch as this time it was Scott Alexander who surrendered the game-winners to the A’s in the seventh.

Today’s game features the Major League Debut of Dollander, and he’ll go up against Joey Estes, who has yet to start this season as well.

Here’s three key takeaways from Saturday’s disaster at Coors Field.

3. Homers wasted

The Rockies finally hit multiple homeruns. But it didn’t matter. Ryan McMahon’s solo shot in the eighth, his first of the season, was nice, but it was also meaningless in the grand scheme of things. McMahon became the first Colorado starter other than Hunter Goodman to leave the yard this season, and that’s just not going to cut it.

2. Kris Bryant has a pulse

With Michael Toglia moved down the lineup, Kris Bryant reappeared and actually picked up a hit. His second of the season. It may not be cause for celebration, but, the fact that KB got on base, especially during this disastrous offensive start by the entire team, is something that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Here’s hoping Bryant can strong together a few good games in a row.

1. Colorado’s bullpen is a mess

The Rockies have some great statistical innings from their bullpen this season. As a whole, none of it means anything, because, the end result has been the same in almost every game this season, and that end result is either a blown lead, or letting the game completely get away. Yes, German Marquez didn’t pitch lights out on Saturday, and there was once again no run support, but, the Rockies were only down 3-2 when the wheels fell off late in the game. That’s on the bullpen. That’s just how it works in the big leagues.