There’s no sugarcoating it: The Rockies’ rotation has been a disaster, with the lone exception being right-hander German Marquez.
Kyle Freeland has a 6.02 ERA while looking little like the Cy Young-caliber pitcher of last year. Jon Gray and Antonio Senzatela have been inconsistent. Tyler Anderson is headed for knee surgery, with his return this summer very much in doubt. And overall, the rotation’s 5.42 ERA ranks last in the National League.
All those shortcomings, underscored by the club’s 22-25 start that has the Rockies looking way, way up at the Dodgers in the divisional standings already, means that Marquez (5-2, 3.38 ERA) must be exceptional every time out — no ifs, ands or buts about it.
Though the calendar has yet to turn to June, Colorado can’t afford any more missteps from the power pitcher who must act as the club’s trusted stopper every time out. Marquez did just that in Tuesday night’s series opener in Pittsburgh, tossing eight shutout innings to snap the club’s four-game slide.
That means no more giving up five quick runs to put Colorado in an early hole, as Marquez did May 15, even if it was on the road against the defending World Series champion Red Sox. And that means no more lapsed outings, as happened in a loss to Atlanta on April 9 when Marquez turned in his worst performance of 2019 via five runs (and two homers) in five innings.
It’s an extremely high bar for a 24-year-old who only truly began to find his big-league form last season, but Colorado can’t afford to have Marquez not meet it. The sense of urgency to get back into the playoff picture is real, and if “Easy Cheese” can’t lead them back into it — every reliable fifth day at a time — then the Rockies are in much deeper trouble.
— , The Denver Post
What’s on Tap
- At Pittsburgh Pirates, 10:35 a.m. Thursday
- Baltimore Orioles, 6:40 p.m. Friday, ATTRM
- Baltimore Orioles, 7:10 p.m. Saturday, ATTRM
- Baltimore Orioles, 1:10 p.m. Sunday, ATTRM
Must-Read
Rockies put on overall good show in 9-3 victory against Pirates
After losing four straight games in the middle of the current eight-game road trip, the Rockies have won two straight games at PNC and have a chance to complete a rare road sweep over the Pirates on Thursday afternoon. Read more…
Rockies closer Wade Davis goes on IL; Jairo Diaz called up from Triple-A
Davis’ stint on the IL is retroactive to Sunday but there is no timetable for his return. Read more…
How ex-Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe’s baseball life has come full circle
The 39-year-old coaches his son out of the same baseball facility he founded in Fort Worth when he was in Class-A in 2001. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ The making of Brendan Rodgers: How his neighbor and a Blake Street Bomber enabled “a natural” to flourish
+ Check out the Rockies’ bobblehead designs for Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon and Kyle Freeland
+ Rockies’ Brendan Rodgers brings hot bat, sweet swing to his MLB debut
+ Rockies should consider signing Dallas Keuchel after the MLB draft
+ German Marquez leads Rockies’ shutout over Pirates
+ Rockies Tyler Anderson will undergo knee surgery; season in limbo
+ Rockies’ rotation failing to meet high expectations as NL West hopes fade
+ Kyle Freeland’s woes continue as Rockies ace has plenty of issues to resolve
+ Jon Gray still not producing as Rockies fall to Phillies
+Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team?Ask Patrick Saunders here.
+Want to chat about the Rockies?
By The Numbers
.573
Newman vs. Kiz: Are the Rockies toast in the N.L. playoff race?
Newman: Itap hard to offer tons of optimism here, Kiz. To play .573 ball from here on out, a number of concerning trends must quickly reverse. Read more…
Parting Shot
Indians designate outfielder Carlos Gonzalez for assignment
POLL: Should the Rockies bring CarGo back since he was designated for assignment? Vote here…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at jbailey@denverpost.comortweet me .
