One green rookie after another faded from the Rockies rotation in the late months of a run toward the National League’s postseason, but 22-year-old right-hander German Marquez continues to flourish. He might just pitch himself into a playoff starting spot.
“This season means a lot to me,” Marquez said Friday before the Rockies started a three-game regular season-ending series against the Dodgers at . “I learned a lot of things. My first full year in the big leagues. I got some experience for next year.
“But now I have to do it.”
Marquez on Saturday will pitch his 29th game this season, extending his club-high innings number from 156. The rookie from Venezuela, by some measure, has been Colorado’s best pitcher this season, with a 4.38 ERA, 8.04 strikeouts per nine innings and an 11-7 record. A victory Saturday would give him the team lead for wins too.
He may also be pitching one last audition for the postseason. The Rockies’ rotation heading toward October seems to be, in order: , , Marquez and or . While Chatwood, 27, and Bettis, 28, have more experience, Marquez has been tested under fire.
“You find out a lot about a pitcher when he gets people on base and gets into a spot where he has to make pitches,” veteran catcher Jonathan Lucroy said. “People told me that about him and then I found it out on my own. He turns it up a notch. The velo jumps up to 98 (mph). He’s got some intensity about him for sure.”
The Rockies rode a rookie-dominant rotation through April and May, playing to the top of the NL West, with lefty Kyle Freeland (11-10, 4.06) and Antonio Senzatela (10-5, 4.65) leading the way. joined in May.
But Marquez lasted. After starting the season in Colorado’s bullpen, he quickly folded into the rotation after injuries to Gray and Anderson.
Marquez will face Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw on Saturday, a late test for his postseason readiness in higher-pressure situations.
“I don’t feel it at all,” Marquez said. “To me, itap another game that I will have to fight to win. Kershaw is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Itap a goal for me to pitch against him.”
Anderson up. Bud Black had not yet told his pitcher when Colorado manager’s spilled an open secret in his dugout before Friday’s game. He will call on Anderson, the lefty, to start Sunday in the regular-season finale against Los Angeles.
Anderson will pitch on regular rest and will line up to pitch Game 1 of the NL division series at Los Angeles — if the Rockies make it that far. The Rockies had considered throwing Gray on short rest Sunday if the game became a must-win for a wild-card berth.
Kershaw too. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, meanwhile, said he will pitch Kershaw next Friday to start the NLDS. His decision was obvious. But that does not mean Roberts has it easy. The rest of L.A.’s rotation is tripping into the postseason.
Looking ahead …
Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (18-4, 2.21 ERA) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (11-7, 4.38), Saturday 6:10 p.m., AT&T SportsNet, 850-AM
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Friday made official what everybody already guessed: Kershaw will pitch Game 1 of the National League Division Series in Los Angeles next Friday. His final regular-season start will be limited. The Dodgers want only to keep their ace fresh and up-to-date for the postseason. They do not need him to win a game. Kershaw, though, gave up four runs on six hits in his last outing against the Rockies, a game Colorado won in L.A. on its way to a four-game sweep earlier this month. Marquez, meanwhile, may be pitching for one last look-see in a bid to gain NL rookie of the year award votes. He is already the Rockies innings leader this season. Nick Groke, The Denver Post
Sunday: Dodgers TBA at Rockies TBA, 1:10 p.m. AT&T SportsNet
End of regular season
