Colorado Rockies news and links for Friday, August 22, 2024
Compared to the loss-filled months of April and June, the Rockies really have played better since the All-Star break. Even though the sample sizes are vastly different, the Rockies were 34-63 (.351) before the Midsummer Classic and are 13-18 after (.419).
The Rockies have 33 games left this season and winning will be a tall order with teams like the Yankees, Orioles, Dodgers, and more remaining on the slate.
Last year, the Rockies went 10-23 (.303) in their last 33 games on their way to 103 losses. As the season went on, they got worse. It wasn’t a good sign for the future. The last 33 games this season could be momentous if the Rockies can be closer to .500 instead of .300 and déjà vu all over again if they can’t.
In the time of the season when some teams rise and vie for the postseason, the Rockies need to finish strong for each other, for the fans and for the future.
San Diego is a team on a tear that has seized the post-All-Star break. The Padres have only lost eight games since the All-Star break, while they’ve won 22. During that run, they’ve scored 166 runs while only giving up 109.
They have not only climbed into playoff contention, but with the Diamondbacks, they are pressuring the Dodgers to fight for their third straight NL West title (they’ve won 10 out of the last 11). The Padres went 10-18 last August and needed a 20-7 September and October to finish two games above .500. Right now, they are 15 games above .500. They have 25 more wins than the Rockies. Earlier this week. CBSSports’ Mike Axisa wrote about how the Padres “reversed course.”
Axisa points out how the Padres biggest Achilles’ heel was falling in close games. Last year, they were 9-23 (.281) in one-run games and 2-12 (.143) in extra innings.
This year, San Diego is 17-14 in one-run games (.548) and 7-1 in extra innings (.875). They are coming up clutch, at the plate and on the mound in important moments, to cause that change.
I thought it would be worth looking at the Rockies numbers in those same situations. Last year, the Rockies were 23-24 in one-run games and 6-4 in extra-inning games. That was pretty good. This year, they are similar, but slightly better. They are 22-18 in one-run games and 7-4 in extra innings.
What fixed the Padres, won’t fix the Rockies. So what will?
In early July, the Rockies were finding success against above .500 teams and losing to below .500 teams more often. That’s no longer the case. Going by the current MLB standings, the Rockies are 29-52 (.358) against winning teams and 15-26 (.366) against losing teams. Both have to improve in the Rockies are ever to change their fortunes, but neither is outweighed by the other.
So, what’s the fix?
Pitching. It always comes to pitching.
The Rockies have the worst team ERA in baseball at 5.54 — a full 0.74 worse than the 31-97 White Sox. They give up the most runs in the ninth inning at an average of 0.55 per game, eighth (0.78), sixth (0.67) and first (0.74) innings. They are 26th or worst in the second, third and seventh innings. The Rockies don’t have a stable or effective rotation. The bullpen is a disaster where no lead is safe.
For years, the pitching staff from the first to the ninth inning has deteriorated. From traded players coming to Colorado to rookies making their debuts, the Rockies have yet to find many consistent arms.
The common denominator is Bud Black. He’s supposed to be the pitching manager. He’s supposed to shape and develop pitchers. His job is to fill their toolboxes with strategy and mental toughness to pitch in Colorado.
It’s not working. The Rockies aren’t polishing the pieces to build a better team. Black’s methods are outdated and ineffective from analytics and innovation to establishing a winning culture.
With GM Bill Schmidt putting so much effort into loading the farm system through drafts and trades with pitchers to bring winning back to Colorado, it’s not going to matter if they aren’t getting the coaching and research and development they need to set them up for success.
On Thursday, the Mariners fired Scott Servais after Seattle tanked out of playoff contention since mid-June. The White Sox fired second-year manager Pedro Grifol earlier this month after an abysmal season.
Black managed the worst team in franchise history in his fifth straight losing season. He’s headed toward 100 again in year six. Any other organization would have parted ways a long time ago. No one can lose this much and keep their job.
On Thursday, Black managed his 1,160th game for the Rockies, passing Clint Hurdle for most games managed in team history. He also has 11 fewer wins. He’s likely to pass Hurdle by the end of the season. That’s where his numbers should end.
Black’s contract is up at the end of the season. Rockies fans know Dick Monfort thinks more about familiarity than winning. If he re-signs Black, nothing will change. If he can let go and embrace change, the Rockies could have a chance.
Adam Ottavino would be the best answer if the Rockies want to try to compete in modern baseball. Warren Schaeffer might be a more comfortable pick for the Monfort and at least it could spark hope. In 2025, it’s time for a new manager to lead the Rockies.
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Injuries & Moves: Gordon optioned to Triple-A | MLB.com
The Rockies sent Tanner Gordon back to Albuquerque on Thursday. In seven starts, Gordon went 0-5 and recorded a 7.55 ERA. As of Thursday night, the Rockies had not made a corresponding move.
While this article is mostly about Kansas City’s 24-year-old All-Star and MVP candidate, many Rockies show up in the article. Witt is “on track to be the first major leaguer in 20 years to bat .400 at home.” He’d be the first since Barry Bonds in 2004. Before that, Larry Walker (2001), Jeff Cirillo (2000), Eric Young Sr. (1996) and Andrés Galarraga (1993) did it.
Giants Among Teams Interested In Elias Díaz | MLB Trade Rumors
Elias Díaz could soon be calling San Francisco home as Giant catcher Patrick Bailey recently went on the IL with an oblique strain.
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On the farm
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 6, Sugar Land Space Cowboys 5
In his fourth start since being promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque on Aug. 3, Carson Palmquist earned his first Isotopes win after he pitched 5 1⁄3 innings with only giving up one run on three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. He was boosted by three runs in the first thanks to a Greg Jones homer, Sean Bouchard scoring on a fielder’s choice and Elehuris Montero scoring on a Grant Lavigne single. The Isotopes scored three more in the sixth when Jimmy Heron hit a two-run single and Bouchard added an RBI single. It was enough to overcome a four-run Space Cowboy eighth inning.
Double-A: New Hampshire River Cats 8, Hartford Yard Goats 2
Mason Green was hit hard and early, giving up seven runs on seven hits (including two homers) in 1 2⁄3 innings in Thursday’s loss. Four more Yard Goats combined to only give up two hits and 1 run in the rest of the game, but Hartford didn’t have enough to rally back. Kyle Datres hit a homer in the ninth and Zach Kokoska hit an RBI single in the sixth for Hartford.
High-A: Hillsboro Hops 8, Spokane Indians 2
GJ Hill homered as one of only two Spokane hits on Thursday and it couldn’t compare to Hillsboro’s 12 hits. Jake Snider recorded Spokane’s only other hit and Cole Carrigg drew an RBI walk to account for the only other walk. The Indians drew eight walks on the night, but couldn’t capitalize more.
Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies 11, Stockton Ports 5
Caleb Hobson hit a two-run homer, Blake Wright hit two doubles and drove in three runs and Brad Cumbest hit two doubles, scored two runs and posted two RBI in Thursday’s win. Ismael Luciano improved to 3-0 after only giving up two runs on two hits with five strikeouts and two walks in six innings.
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