New month, new mindset.
With the calendar turned to June and Los Angeles in town for a three-game series to close the homestand, the Rockies have a chance to further distance themselves ahead of their National League West foe.
Colorado’s been, in a word, inconsistent throughout the first third of the season, hence just the 1 ½-game lead over Arizona and 4-game lead over the Dodgers despite the struggles of those two teams.
But now is the chance for Colorado to step on the gas, especially considering the Rockies won’t have to see Clayton Kershaw (he returned from the disabled list on Thursday against the Phillies and ) and that they’ll face in the series opener withleft-handerAlex Wood’s scheduled start pushed to Sunday.
With two series wins already under the Rockies’ belton a hit-laden homestand, another series win would be helpful — but not as much as a sweep.
That would put Colorado seven games up on Los Angeles heading to cellar-dwelling Cincinnati next week — a healthy early June lead on the defending N.L. champions – and lend more validity to manager Bud Black’s often-stated belief that, despitestrikeout woes, some starting pitching problems and varied performances by the bullpen, this is a team that will contend for a first division title when it all comes together.
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What’s on tap?
- Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:40 p.m. Friday, ATTRM
- Los Angeles Dodgers, 5:15 p.m. Saturday, ATTRM
- Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:10 p.m. Sunday, ATTRM
- At Cincinnati Reds, 5:10 p.m. Tuesday, ATTRM
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scores, Stats and Standings
Must-Read
Kiszla: In Jon Gray, the Rockies have an ace thatap a head case. And he was crazy bad in loss to Giants.
Why doesJon Grayhave to make everything so darn hard? And nothing is harder than watching him pitch. It requires sliding a hand over your face to peek through fingers, full of trepidation for the next mess made by the Rockies’ alleged ace. Read more…
With surging Dodgers rolling into town and Adam Ottavino on disabled list, a consistent identity for Rockies’ middle relievers is imperative
The Rockies boast two shutdown relievers inset-up man Adam Ottavino (0.95 ERA, 0.64 WHIP) andcloser Wade Davis(National League saves leader with 18), but itap been a mixed bag beyond those two despite the fact Colorado leads the National League with 39 holds. Read more…
Playing with pain: For Nolan Arenado and his Rockies teammates, itap part of the job
Rockies nation held its breath Sunday at Coors Field. Read more…
Quick Hits
+Rockies podcast: KOA’s Jerry Schemmel talks baseball; plus beat writers’ take at one-third mark
+There are some concerns through the first third of the Rockies’ season. Team chemistry isn’t one of them
+Kiszla vs. Saunders: Which Rockies hitter is more likely to emerge from his funk: Ian Desmond or Carlos Gonzalez?
+Saunders: Rockies aren’t trading for Joey Votto or Jose Abreu, but they have to do something
+Rockies’ offense continues to come around amid pivotal homestand
+Jon Gray struggles against San Francisco again, Giants’ bullpen is money as Rockies lose series finale
+This Denver man has amassed one of the most complete (and maybe most valuable) baseball memorabilia collections in the country
+Brian Fuentes, all-star reliever turned almond farmer, is happy to see the Rockies heavily invest in the bullpen
+ Ian Desmond responds to Rockies fans’ boos.
+Education of Kyle Freeland turning him into Rockies’ most valuable pitcher
+Will the “opener” catch on? Rockies weigh in on the strategy of using relievers to start games, as Tampa Bay is doing
+Rockies reliever Chris Rusin’s continued struggles center around command, too little use of the changeup
+Defensive versatility of Rockies’ young role players, top prospects gives Bud Black options to get the offense figured out
+Adam Ottavino, Rockies’ dominant late-game reliever, goes on DL with sore oblique
+Amid lockdown May, Rockies southpaw Mike Dunn just might find himself in more high-leverage innings
+Rockies Record Tracker:See how Colorado has fared against each opponentthis season.
+Want to chat about the Rockies?
By The Numbers
$289 million
MLB teams spent record $289 million on draft picks in 2017
Major league teams spent a record $289 million on players picked in last year’s amateur draft, an increase of 7.2 percent from 2016. Read more…
Parting Shot
With help from purple prosthetic hand, Hailey Dawson continues her first-pitch tour of major league ballparks
“I don’t get nervous,” she said pregame in the dugout, dabbing occasionally on her purple prosthetic. “I just focus on the catcher.” Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion,email me at dboniface@denverpost.comortweet me .
