The MLB All-Star break is a fantastic way for each roster to rest up and take a much-needed break for the second half of the season. For a trembling team like the Colorado Rockies, these past few days have been spent with much self-reflection. Through their first 97 games of the season, it’s been an absolute disaster. Colorado is 34-63. It’s the second-worst record in the National League by just a game, with Miami at 33-63. With 65 games left on their schedule, the Rockies young roster must take charge and be encouraged to not hit a new low in the franchise’s history. It’s been such a long road for this team already. Yet, there’s still time to prove this season isn’t a complete landslide down the mountain. Big expectations will follow this young team in the second half of the season.
Expectations For The Trembling Rockies In Their Final 65 Games
Smash Homers At Coors And Everywhere Else
Through 97 games, the Rockies rank 15th with 104 home runs. This isn’t far from a few teams in the top 10. The Boston Red Sox rank 8th in the league with 112. Perhaps if Colorado can get hot at Coors Field during their immediate six-game home stand, we could see this team breakthrough in a big way. The offense can pull in clutch as they are 12th in the Majors with 801 hits. Furthermore, it’s crazy enough how Michael Toglia leads the team in homers with 16. Even after being sent down to the Minors for some time, he’s been able to come back in a big way, which is equally essential not only to his development as a player but also to the team’s play as a whole.
Center fielder Brenton Doyle is second on the Rockies with 15th homers while third on the team with 92 hits. However, Ezequiel Tovar is tied for third with 14 home runs but first for Colorado with 108 hits. It’s been grueling for this team. Yet, their offense is slowly starting to gel and get the pieces together. This team can potentially catapult into the top ten, or maybe even the top five, in terms of batting average. Depending on how they mesh during the second half of the season, we could see a winning breeze finally settling in Colorado.
Pitching Staff Will Blow More Games
Talking so highly of the Rockies offense, it’s a shame their pitching staff is a mess. They’re last in the league with a disgusting 5.61 ERA. They also rank last in the league with 651 strikeouts, that is 58 strikeouts less than the next team. While Cal Quantrill has been the best pitcher on the team, guys like Austin Gomber, Ryan Feltner, and Tyler Kinley have been a tumbling avalanche when they’re on the mound. All three have an ERA over 4.50, with Kinley’s ERA at a horrendous 7.65. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the offense try to compete against their opponents during the next 65 games. With the pitching staff blowing at least half or two-thirds of these games. With German Marquez coming off the 60-Day IL, perhaps this Rockies pitching staff will find some stability.
This Colorado Rockies team has given up 572 runs on 980 hits through 857 innings pitched. They’ve allowed the most hits and runs throughout the league. That’s shameful, with this offense willing their way to wins at times. Something must change during their final 65 games. Whether that’s Marquez coming back or another pitcher stepping up, this pitching staff must show they are capable of not throwing each game away.
Main Photo Credits: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
