The answer came in a calm, confident tone, words that Carlos Gonzalez has uttered before, but it was clear he believed them this time.
“I like this team. It’s totally different than last year,” the all-star outfielder said. “Nobody panics. We like our chances.”
The idea the Rockies would compete for a playoff berth even in spring training seemed absurd. It centered on legitimate questions about the rotation, which did not feature a single member with a winning record last year or an ERA under 4.00.
Boring is the key to contending beyond Peyton Manning’s first scrutinized pass to Wes Welker in training camp. The season isn’t a summer romance, but a promise ring. Consistency trumps everything.
And the Rockies’ starters have been reliable, posting a 3.60 ERA this month, ninth-best in baseball and sixth-best in the National League.
But can Colorado be better?
Wednesday, the Rockies began a stretch of 15 of 18 games at Coors Field. That and a taxing road trip are why they added Rob Scahill — leaving the bullpen with eight members and manager Walt Weiss with the freedom to use Josh Outman as a specialist rather than a long reliever.
This represents a clear place to make a move in the National League West.
It’s no time to be too conservative with the rotation. The Rockies have made bold moves at second and third base, valuing the team’s performance over specific players. It’s always difficult to pull the plug on a member of the starting staff. But patience must have an expiration date with Jon Garland and, to a lesser degree, Juan Nicasio.
Garland has been accountable, and provided a huge lift in April. He’s reliable, almost certain to work five innings every outing. There’s value in that, but not if there are upgrades in Roy Oswalt and Drew Pomeranz. There has been internal discussions about both recently. As there should be.
Oswalt made his second start for Double-A Tulsa on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and striking out six in six innings. By next weekend, the 35-year-old could be ready for a big-league promotion for a start around June 15 or so. Oswalt was awful for the Rangers a year ago. But he’s healthy and he’s humble. He’s lockering with the kids in Tulsa and has regularly been one of the first players at the ballpark. It’s a strong indication of how much he wants to go out on his own terms.
Garland is 1-4 with a 5.45 ERA this month. He was better at San Francisco but, like Aaron Cook near the end of his time in Denver, is a sinkerballer living with no margin for error. Nicasio has made strides in his last two games working with catcher Yorvit Torrealba. There was talk of a demotion, but it has cooled for now.
Pomeranz is 6-1 with a 4.02 ERA in Triple-A. One scout who saw him recently said the left-hander looks better than at any previous time as a pro. Pomeranz is throwing his curveball and changeup more often. The issue remains pitch count, as he’s flirting with 100 after five innings on too many nights. A little more efficiency is his Interstate 25 north path to the bigs.
The NL West is wide open. The Giants’ starters have the worst road ERA in the NL, the Dodgers are underachievers and the Diamondbacks, while good, don’t appear capable of running away and hiding.
The Rockies have a chance. They can’t play it too safe for too long with the rotation.
Footnotes. Jordan Pacheco will get some starts at first base with the Rockies facing a string of left-handers over the next several days. There has been no discussion yet of reducing Todd Helton’s role, and manager Walt Weiss reiterated Wednesday he believes the veteran will bounce back offensively. … Outfielder Charlie Blackmon was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Scahill. … Jeff Francis’ left ankle — hit by a groundball Monday in extended spring training — will be re-evaluated Thursday before determining the next step on his rehab assignment.
Troy E. Renck, trenck @denverpost.com, twitter:@troyrenck
