ST. LOUIS — On his desk before every game, Walt Weiss receives a color-coded card with the names of his bullpen printed in a table form, with red meaning that player is unavailable. It looks completely different this season. There’s a lot less red.
Thursday, the Rockies lined up across from the Cardinals having three relief pitchers who went more than a week without appearing in a game. Long reliever Christian Bergman last pitched May 10. Justin Miller and Scott Oberg last threw in a game May 9. None of them carried a red alert.
That was nearly unheard of last season. In the past week, Rockies starters have twice lasted seven innings. They have made it through at least six innings four other times. Only one, Eddie Butler, lasted just five.
“The sixth inning is a magical number,” Weiss said. “We have a long way to go this season. But we’re better on the mound.”
Last year, the Rockies ranked last in baseball in starters innings. They weren’t even close, throwing 30 fewer innings than the next nearest rotation. This year, the Rockies rank 27th. Not a huge jump up the charts, but there’s a noticeable difference.
“I’m having fun out there,” bullpen coach Darren Holmes said.
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Jake McGee’s 13 saves ranked sixth in baseball entering Thursday. But more important, Weiss has not been forced to use back-end relievers in middle innings. That scenario cornered him last season, and the season before, and led to a nasty domino effect of overused arms.
Lefty looming. Left-handed reliever Boone Logan carried the Rockies’ best ERA (1.93) entering Thursday. But his bullpen coach says he has been even better than the number.
“I think he’s the best left-handed reliever in the National League right now, actually,” Holmes said.
By ERA, Logan ranked third-best in the NL among lefty relievers with at least 14 innings pitched, behind only San Diego’s Ryan Buchter (0.47) and San Francisco’s Josh Osich (1.84).
“Don’t jinx me,” Logan said. “We’re all healthy and we’re all doing great. The end.”
Hundley with pads. Nick Hundley (strained oblique) caught a bullpen session, from Chad Bettis, for the first time Thursday since he was put on the disabled list two weeks ago. His next hurdle is to swing a bat.
“He’s still a little ways away,” Weiss said.
Footnote. Left-handed pitcher Tyler Matzek (anxiety) was activated from the disabled list and optioned to Single-A Modesto. Nick Groke, The Denver Post
