The Colorado Rockies are in the midst of a forgettable season, yet, time and time again, they are having shining moments. The most recent came in Friday’s 14-1 rout of the Chicago White Sox, the Sox’s most significant loss in terms of margin of the season.
White Sox Worse Loss
The win was sparked by Peter Lambert’s strong start. Lambert went 7.0 innings, giving up just one run on four hits while striking out five and walking one. It was the longest start of the season and the first time he went beyond a full six innings in the year.
As for the bats, Ezequiel Tovar went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI, Brendan Rodgers went 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBI, and Elias Díaz went 3-for-5 with two RBI of his own.
The White Sox had only one hit outside of Elvis Andrus’ 3-for-4 performance, bringing their season record to 48-74. That mark is only a single game better than the Rockies’ 47-75, a brutal scene for a team looking to compete for a playoff spot at the beginning of the year.
Friday’s game was only the second time this season that the White Sox lost a game by more than ten runs and the first time the Rockies won by more than 10.
More Season Notes
With a 47-75 record, the Rockies have 40 games left in the 2023 season. To avoid the dreaded 100-loss season, they must go at least 16-24, a winning percentage of .400. That mark is just slightly above their current winning rate, barely above the .385 mark.
The bullpen has still been the team’s saving grace, keeping them in many games and usually holding down leads when they manage to get them.
Jake Bird (130 ERA+), Justin Lawrence (145 ERA+), Brent Suter (209 ERA+), and Daniel Bard (141 ERA+) are not getting the recognition they deserve as one of the best back-end bullpen units due to their team’s record, but alas they are keeping Colorado afloat.
For the bats, Ryan McMahon (106 OPS+), Charlie Blackmon (105 OPS+), and Nolan Jones (118 OPS+) remain the lone bright spots on an otherwise mediocre to lousy lineup.
Rest Of The Way
With 40 games left, the Rockies play 19 more at Coors, featuring a stretch of seven games at home to end the season. After the White Sox series concludes, they go on a road trip but then host the Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Minnesota Twins. Those teams are either in or on the cusp of playoff spots, making the rest of the home schedule very tough.
The road matches are not much more accessible, facing the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks, Giants, San Diego Padres, and Cubs. The opponents make avoiding 100 losses difficult, but it is far from a foregone conclusion.
Also aiding the road to 100 losses is that the Rockies are significantly worse on the road, where they play two more games the rest of the way. The team boasts a .448 winning percentage at home and a .317 percentage on the road.
Main Photo Credits: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
