The Colorado Rockies are preparing for their 32nd season in the majors since expanding into the league in 1993. Throughout their franchise history, this team has made the postseason five times. They’ve made the postseason twice in the last ten seasons, with just one playoff series win. The downfall to most of the Rockies’ regular seasons is the play of their pitching staff. This team is usually ranked within the bottom ten teams of the league in ERA, strikeouts, and runs allowed. In 2010, Colorado finished at 83-79 and missed the postseason. A year before, they won 18 more games than during the 2008 season. Even though the 2010 Rockies finished below expectations, their pitching staff was the best in the franchise’s history. This pitching trio from that 2010 Rockies team was the most dominant, especially in their statistics.
Why the 2010 Colorado Rockies Had the Best Pitching Trio
The Play of Ubaldo Jiménez
While there’s still debate to this day, Ubaldo Jiménez is one of the top, if not the best, starting pitchers in Colorado Rockies history. In 2010, Jiménez pitched the Rockies’ first no-hitter in franchise history during a 4-0 win over the Atlanta Braves, a key game that season. Also, he made his first all-star appearance that season. In 33 starts, Jiménez posted a 19-8 record. Through almost 222 innings pitched, he put up his 2.88 ERA and 214 strikeouts. This performance was a significant factor in the Rockies’ overall performance that season despite the team not making it to the postseason.
He finished the 2010 season with 19 wins, which still leads the Rockies franchise to this day as the most wins by a pitcher in a single season. Ubaldo’s 214 strikeouts ranked third in the National League behind Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum. His 2.88 ERA led Colorado and was ranked eighth within the National League. While Ubaldo has had some great regular season campaigns with the Rockies, no doubt his 2010 season will always be remembered by Colorado fans.
Quality Pitching from Two Non All-Star Pitchers
Although the Colorado Rockies did not make the playoffs during the 2010 season, the pitching unit had their strongest support system. This 2010 Rockies team did not just have to rely on their ace, as the play of two non-all-star pitchers was a key reason why the Rockies’ pitching stats were the franchise’s best that season. Both Jason Hammel and Jhoulys Chacín came up big for Colorado. Hammel, with his 178 innings pitched and 141 strikeouts, and Chacín, with his 3.28 ERA through 28 starts, significantly contributed to the team’s success. Despite Chacín’s 11 losses, which was the most by a Rockies starter in 2010, he still finished the season with nine wins in nearly 138 innings pitched, demonstrating his resilience and contribution to the team.
2010 Rockies had Four Pitchers with Over 100 Strikeouts
The 2010 Rockies rank fifth within the franchise with 1,234 total strikeouts. Four of their six starters recorded 100-plus strikeouts in the regular season. Ubaldo led the team with 214, then Hammel with 147. Following those two was Chacín, who had 138, and finally, Jorge De la Rosa, who punched out 113 batters. While the Rockies have dealt with a few more successful strikeout seasons, the 2010 Rockies outperformed many Rockies teams, including most from the 90s, 2000s, and even in the 2020s.
Main Photo Credits: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
