The Rockies are baseball’s biggest flirts. They teased fans with a dynamic offensive display during spring training, only to give them a cold shoulder with an 18-27 start when the team couldn’t hit.
They followed with a 20-7 stretch that included a seven- game winning streak and a three- game sweep of the New York Yankees. Love was in the air at Coors Field as the Rockies moved within 3 1/2 games of first place in the National League West.
Those warm, fuzzy feelings were quickly replaced by the heartache of a devastating 1-9 road trip during which rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki clubbed go-ahead homers late in three games only to see the Rockies’ bullpen blow it each time.
Just before the all-star break, a new seduction began with a 5-1 homestand that included a three- game sweep of the New York Mets. The roller-coaster first half ended with the Rockies at 44-44, fourth in the West, 5 1/2 games behind the San Diego Padres.
Critical observers look at the first half and see a flawed team with a sketchy starting staff. The Rockies, despite their inconsistencies, are convinced they can make a run at their first division title in franchise history.
“We’re resilient,” first baseman Todd Helton said. “We’ve had plenty of opportunities to be sitting 15 games below .500 right now, but we’re not. That tells you something.”
How the Rockies respond in the second half will reveal the truth. Last season, they entered the all-star break 44-43 but disappeared after a 2-8 road trip to start the second half. Friday, the Rockies begin a crucial 10-game road trip to Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Washington that could go a long way toward determining their fate this season. It also could determine whether the Rockies are buyers or sellers at the July 31 trade deadline.
And whether fans finally will have a meaningful baseball relationship as summer turns to autumn.
Here are five crucial questions as the Rockies begin the second half:
1. Is this a solid rotation or a mound of trouble?
During the 20-7 run, the starting pitchers were an encouraging 12-7 with a 3.93 ERA. But more often than not, inconsistency has been this rotation’s trademark.
Aaron Cook (5-6, 4.68 ERA) has been the poster boy for erratic showings, particularly at Coors Field, where he has given up at least five runs in four of his past five starts.
The Rockies’ 4.71 ERA ranks 13th in the National League. They finished last season with a 4.66 ERA.
Despite a few rough outings, left-hander Jeff Francis (8-5, 3.87) appears capable of 17 or 18 victories as the staff ace. Rod- rigo Lopez (5-2, 4.83) is capable of having a big second half.
But with Josh Fogg and Jason Hirsh struggling at the back of the rotation, changes could be in store. Taylor Buchholz, filling in while Hirsh’s sprained ankle heals, will get a chance to show his stuff in the next two weeks.
Rockies management has been purposely vague about whether the team will pursue a trade for a starting pitcher. It appears clear the Rockies need one. Trouble is, so do a lot of other teams.
2. Can the closer recover his all-star form?
Brian Fuentes was cruising along at his typical all-star pace, converting 20 of his first 22 save opportunities, before his historic meltdown on the Rockies’ 1-9 road trip. He blew four consecutive saves, lost his closer job temporarily and now is injured.
Fuentes vows that once he returns from strained lat muscles, he not only will regain his role as the Rockies’ closer, he will thrive.
“I’m confident in what I can do,” he said. “It was just a bad stretch, but I’m not worried, because I trust my ability.”
Until Fuentes gets healthy, and until he regains his mojo, the closer role will be filled by a committee led by hard-throwing Manny Corpas, fresh off his first save. He has a 1.29 ERA in his past 15 appearances.
3. Can the speed merchants stay healthy?
There is no question the addition of center fielder Willy Taveras to pair with second baseman Kazuo Matsui brought much-needed speed to the top of the order. Their presence is a major reason the Rockies rank first in the NL in hitting (.277), third in runs (428) and fifth in steals (54).
But Taveras limped into the all-star break with a strained right quadriceps that robbed him of his speed, and Matsui has a history of back problems, including a trip to the disabled list early this season. The Rockies went 13-20 during the stretch when Matsui was out of the lineup.
To make a run for the division crown, Taveras and Matsui need to lead the way.
4. Will the road trip up the Rockies?
History says yes.
Since 2002, the Rockies are 158-290 (.353) away from Coors Field, and they are seven games under .500 (18-25) away from Coors Field this season, in large part because of their 1-9 swoon through Toronto, Chicago and Houston.
Yet manager Clint Hurdle insists the Rockies’ traditional road blues are a thing of the past.
“We are a confident ballclub on the road,” he said. “I think that was very evident on the 1-9 trip. We kept coming back, we kept getting leads. It basically has gotten to the point where we are just thinking baseball. We are not thinking road, we are not thinking home, we are just thinking execution.”
Maybe so, but there remains a big disparity between home and road batting averages. As a team, the Rockies have hit .294 at Coors, just .259 on the road. The disparity is evident with the team’s sluggers, too. Matt Holliday is hitting .379 at home, .301 on the road. Garrett Atkins’ home-road split is .293 vs. .223. Brad Hawpe’s is .331 vs. .287.
Simply put, for the Rockies to be true contenders, they must play closer to .500 ball on the road. The test begins Friday in Milwaukee, where they have an all-time record of 11-21.
5. Can Tulo stay sky high?
Tulowitzki is making a strong bid for NL rookie of the year, having hit .286 with nine homers and 38 RBIs. He leads major- league shortstops in total chances, assists and putouts. And he has emerged as the Rockies’ most fiery competitor. But will he hit a wall, as so many rookies do in the second half?
Helton doesn’t think so.
“I just see him getting better and better,” Helton said. “He just loves playing baseball, and you can see that every time he takes the field.”
Staff writer Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
