SAN DIEGO — A month later, the first impression of the four-man rotation is shrugged shoulders.
It’s no better. And no worse. The starters’ numbers are slightly improved, but the bullpen’s statistics are a tick worse, making the results negligible.
The early returns don’t suggest the experiment is doomed, but that the right pieces aren’t in place.
Since the four-man was adopted, . Before June 20, they were 13-30 with a 6.28 ERA. Because of the 75-pitch count, which now has an elastic waistband, the starters are averaging less than five innings, a number they were previously eclipsing.
The bullpen has remained static. The relievers are 7-5 with a 4.02 ERA during the last 29 games. In the 65 games prior, they were 12-10 with a 4.00 ERA.
The Rockies were 25-40 before the four-man rotation, a .383 winning percentage, and are 11-18 since, a .379 mark.
It’s the equivalent of riding the Tour de France on a stationary bike. A lot of effort, but no progress.
There remains a soft underbelly, which was exposed in Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the streaking Padres.
Starter Christian Friedrich regained his balance after a clumsy start, allowing just two runs in five innings. Deep counts, however, led to an early exit, demanding the bullpen to absorb multiple innings before the setup crew of Rex Brothers, Matt Belisle and Rafael Betancourt.
Adam Ottavino, solid Saturday, couldn’t escape the seventh inning cleanly. He was tagged for the loss when Matt Reynolds allowed the go-ahead single. This is the issue. Manager Jim Tracy, because of the limitations, has to rely on his bullpen for innings, not matchup outs.
If the starters can get through six innings, and in rare cases seven, the Rockies are pretty good. But no one has taken to the piggyback role, save for . He has been one of the National League’s best relievers. In truth, he should have his bullpen card revoked. He’s a starter camouflaged as a bullpen man.
Roenicke has thrown 57 ⅓ innings, more than Jeff Francis, Drew Pomeranz and Alex White. When Roenicke is the understudy, following Francis, the Rockies typically win. With everybody else, not so much.
The cringe-required look at the standings provides freedom to keep seeking answers.
“As you continue to move forward it’s about finding the right combinations that’s the important thing — with the starters and relievers,” Tracy said. “Hopefully you can get to the point that (the starters) can throw 90 pitches,” Tracy said. “Now you have a pretty good bullpen set up. With time hopefully we can grow into that.”
The other issue involves health. Reducing workloads is designed to keep arms stronger. But taking away the extra day of rest comes at a price. The Rockies’ starters have reduced their work between outings, but three days is three days.
Drew Pomeranz will have his next start pushed back because his sore arm, which usually feels fine, “didn’t get better this time around.”
Friedrich’s arm is good, but he has dealt with tightness in his back as he adapts to his workout routine.
Francis, the veteran in the group who was not the object of this bold move, has arguably benefited the most.
Still, after 29 games, the results have been remarkably similar to those compiled in the previous 65. Without improvement, the argument is stronger to abandon rather than to continue the experiment next spring.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1294, trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck
