For the Rockies to get to October — either by outlasting the Diamondbacks and Dodgers for their first divisional title or by way of a repeat wild card appearance — every run, and potential run, is important.
That means Colorado must be better on the bases during the homestretch of the regular season, as metrics indicate the high-risk, high-reward strategy currently being employed by Rockies’ runners isn’t effective.
While the Rockies are tied for the major league lead in extra bases taken (the amount of times a runner advanced more than one base on a single or more than two bases on a double) at 46 percent, they’ve also made a habit of running into outs.
Colorado ranks fourth-worst in the majors, and second-worst in the National League, with 49 outs on base (when a runner is put out making a baserunning play in non-force and non-steal situations). That includes an MLB-worst 16 outs at third.
Meanwhile, the Rockies are middle of the road in the majors in terms of stolen base success (70 percent), number of times picked off (nine) and in Fangraphs’ Ultimate Base Running metric, in which the Rockies rank ninth in the NL.
The good news? It won’t take Trevor Story’s speed suddenly becoming contagious for Colorado to firm up its baserunning.
Just a bit more smarts — something the club was lacking in a couple failed contact plays during the recent Los Angeles series — and a renewed emphasis on the fundamentals should prevent this aspect of the game from becoming a September stumbling block.
, The Denver Post
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Whatap on tap?
- At Atlanta Braves, 5:35 p.m. Friday, ATTRM
- At Atlanta Braves, 5:10 p.m. Saturday, ATTRM
- At Atlanta Braves, 11:35 a.m. Sunday, ATTRM
- San Diego Padres, 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, ATTRM
- San Diego Padres, 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, ATTRM
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scores, Stats and Standings
Must-Read
Rockies use clutch ninth-inning singles by Ryan McMahon, David Dahl to top Braves
Colorado’s core of reliable veteran position players, along with a locked-in rotation, have put the team on the precipice of another playoff berth with six weeks to play in the regular season. Read more…
Rockies’ top prospect Brendan Rodgers remains intent on proving he’s “ready and deserving” for potential September call-up
The Isotopes placed infielder Brendan Rodgers on the disabled list on Tuesday with a tweaked left hamstring, but the Rockies’ top prospect says the injury is minor and that he’ll be back in the lineup for Triple-A Albuquerque soon. Read more…
Rockies podcast: What makes Nolan Arenado so special and is this Colorado’s best rotation ever?
In the50th installment of the On the Rox podcast, Astros beat writer Brian McTaggart for MLB.com joins Patrick Saunders to talk about Houston’s World Series season and what that meant to the city after the floods, and what makes Nolan Arenado so special. Read more…
Quick Hits
+The wave: Does it belong at baseball games? Rockies and their fans weigh in
+With a higher average and declining strikeouts, Trevor Story continues emergence as a Rockies’ offensive cornerstone
+Nolan Arenado makes return to third base for Rockies’ series opener in Atlanta
+Nolan Arenado, Rockies’ MVP candidate, should take all the time he needs to get shoulder healthy
+Kiz vs. Saunders: Will Ryan McMahon or David Dahl have more impact on the Rockies’ playoff push?
+Saunders: Rockies’ window to win is now, but window is closing fast
+Rockies will start Antonio Senzatela, send Chad Bettis to bullpen
+Nolan Arenado hates being a DH, but still hits key home run in Rockies’ win over Astros
+ Rockies Record Tracker:See how Colorado has fared against each opponentthis season.
+Want to chat about the Rockies?
By The Numbers
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Rockies Mailbag: Complete games? Maybe not this season for Colorado.
Saunders:I’m starting to believe the Rockies just might go the whole way without a complete game. Read more…
Parting Shot
Ryan Spilborghs, former Rockies outfielder, biffs on foul ball at Rockies game
Ryan Spilborghs was a fan favorite during his seven years playing for the Rockies in Denver. On Saturday night in Denver however, Spilbourghs made an error in the camera well next to the Rockies dugout while covering the game as a broadcaster for AT&T SportsNet. Read more…
Get in Touch
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