As the Rockies battled their way to a 30-16 record in a historic span that saw them play 46 consecutive games against teams with a better-than-.500 record, there was no easy stretch.
It was a gauntlet of scheduling adversity but the Rockies — red-hot coming off a 4-game road sweep of Atlanta entering Tuesday’s homestand opener against the cellar-dwelling Padres — didn’t flinch. At risk of getting buried in June, the Rockies have put themselves in prime position for a playoff push.
“We embrace it,” shortstop Trevor Story said. “At the end of the day, we want to play against the best. If we can win close games, and win games like we did (in Atlanta), thatap going to be big for us in September and hopefully the playoffs.”
Colorado’s first-ever four-game sweep of the Braves in Atlanta this past weekend was characterized by strong starting pitching and timely hitting. The Rockies rallied late in two of the victories. And prior to that, Colorado split with the defending champion Astros in Houston and took three of four from the Dodgers at home. Their 8-2 mark over their past 10 games has the Rockies just a half-game back of the division-leading Diamondbacks and tied in the wild card standings.
“When the coaches and I were going through the schedule recently, in a way we thought it was a good thing to play all those teams that are over .500 and in contention because it will really show what we’re all about,” manager Bud Black said. “It was a great test for us, and our guys responded.”
Indeed, Colorado has emerged from a brutal stretch in an advantageous position.
According to Fangraphs, the Rockies’ probability of making the playoffs stands at 44.1 percent — up dramatically from a 5 percent chance at the end of June — while Arizona, though in the driver’s seat, has a slightly tougher homestretch schedule than Colorado.
But even if the strength of their opponents eases up a bit, the emotions and pressure will only intensify for a Rockies team laden with a mix of veterans and flashy young players.
“From now on, all the way down to the end, itap going to be a playoff-like atmosphere for every single game,” veteran outfielder said. “If you want to be in the playoffs and fight for a championship, thatap how itap got to be. We’ve shown a lot of fight but we’ve got to continue to grow, and be more and more tough as we go down the road.”
Of the Rockies’ 38 remaining games, 26 are against National League West opponents, meaning their playoff destiny — and the possibility of a first division title in franchise history — remains firmly within their control.
“As long as we take care of our business within the remaining divisional series, itap going to pan out – whether thatap winning the division, which is our obvious goal, or getting a wild card,” reliever said. “Playing well against the Dodgers and D-backs is going to put us where we want to be, and we can go from there.”
Looking ahead
Padres LHP Robbie Erlin (2-3, 3.33 ERA) at Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (6-5, 4.39), 6:40 p.m. Tuesday; ATTRM, 850 AM
Anderson has been a solid performer most of the season, but he got roughed up at Houston in his last start, getting tagged for nine runs on seven hits (including three home runs) and three walks over 4 ⅓ innings in Colorado’s 12-1 loss. It was Anderson’s second poor start in his past three games, so he needs to get right for the stretch run. Shortstop Freddy Galvis has hit Anderson hard, batting 7-for-15 with a double. Erlin worked out of the Padres bullpen for much of the season, but with Eric Lauer out with a forearm injury, Erlin has become a fill-in starter. He’s fared well, making three consecutive starts in which he allowed two or fewer earned runs. The lefty got a no-decision in San Diego’s loss to the Angels in his last start, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out two over six innings. Two Rockies have rocked Erlin. Nolan Arenado is 5-for-10 with a home run, double and five RBIs against him, while Charlie Blackmon is 4-for-8 with a double and a triple. — Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Wednesday: Padres RHP Jacob Nix (1-1, 6.75) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (9-7, 4.76), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
Thursday: Padres LHP Joey Lucchesi (6-7, 3.79) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (11-7, 2.96), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Friday: Cardinals RHP Miles Mikolas (13-3, 2.80) at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (4-3, 4.47), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
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