If you’re a Denver sports fan who’s been living under a rock for the past three weeks, let me get you up to speed. The Rockies (3-10) aren’t doing so hot as every aspect of the team has underperformed through the first 13 games.
But Rockies fans shouldn’t totally freak out, especially not with these three worst-possible overreactions:
The Rockies should fire Bud Black!No, Black hasn’t lost the clubhouse, and no, Colorado shouldn’t (and won’t) can their skipper. For one, he just signed a three-year extension in late February that keeps him with the club through 2022. And also, he’s been a finalist for National League manager of the year in each of his two seasons as Colorado made the playoffs for consecutive years for the first time ever. Black’s going nowhere.
Nolan Arenado’s contract was a mistake!Colorado’s all-star third baseman hasn’t exactly torn the cover off the ball early on, hitting just .260 with no homers in concurrence with the team’s struggles. But to write off the eight-year, $260 million deal as a bad investment just three weeks into 2019 is supremely premature. Arenado is a Hall of Fame talent who is widely renowned as one of the best and hardest-working players in the game; odds are great he bounces back from his sluggish start for another MVP-caliber season.
Kyle Freeland isn’t the same guy!While concerns about the back-end of Colorado’s rotation are warranted, Freeland’s 8.39 ERA over his last two starts — both losses — won’t be the norm for the southpaw in 2019. Replicating his historic 2018 season will be difficult, but don’t let a few April speed-bumps deceive: Freeland, even beside to the raw gas that German Marquez brings, is still the ace of the staff. His tenacity and ability to battle deep into ballgames will return — and the sooner, the better for the Rockies.
— , The Denver Post
What’s on Tap
- At San Francisco Giants, 8:15 p.m. Friday, ATTRM
- At San Francisco Giants, 2 p.m. Saturday, ATTRM
- At San Francisco Giants, 2 p.m. Sunday, ATTRM
Must-Read
Rockies’ losing streak hits 6 games with shutout loss to Giants
Gray’s final line: 5 ⅔ innings, one run allowed on six hits and three walks. He is now 0-3 after three starts. Read more…
Rockies’ strikeouts, led by Ian Desmond’s 37.5 percent rate, a big reason for slump
Strike three, by swinging or by looking, has been an all-too-common occurrence for the Rockies early this season. Read more…
Rockies Mailbag: Angry fans want answers to Rockies slow start. Could Matt Holliday help?
Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Tuesdays during the season and once per month during the offseason. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Saunders: Rockies owner Dick Monfort deserves credit for first-class organization
+ Colorado Rockies’ “Dirty Dozen” start to 2019 season reveals plenty of problems
+ Rockies player map: Where is Dinger from you ask? See if you can spot him on our interactive map.
+ Rockies’ Josh Fuentes, Nolan Arenado’s cousin, singles in first big-league at-bat
+ Rockies’ Trevor Story gets advice from A-Rod; Josh Fuentes reflects on hectic big-league debut
+ David Dahl placed on injured list, Rockies recall Yonathan Daza from Triple-A
+ Umpire gets booed for not letting bat dog do what bat dogs do
+Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team?Ask Patrick Saunders here.
+Want to chat about the Rockies?
By The Numbers
2019
Colorado Rockies standings updated daily throughout the 2019 season
The chart shows the Rockies’ record against every team (and division) they play, including the number of games against that team and whether they won or lost at home or away. Read more…
Parting Shot
Woman sues Astros for $1M, says T-shirt cannon broke finger
A woman has sued the Houston Astros for more than $1 million, saying that a T-shirt cannon by the team’s mascot at a game last season broke her finger. 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 .
