German Marquez’s short start vs. Cubs is prime example of what’s hurting Rockies | Denver Post ($)
The Rockies might have a winning record to start off the 2018 season, but things are not going quite as expected. The young starting pitching rotation is having a really hard time getting it together. Germân Márquez provides the most recent example. After hitting Kris Bryant in the head and allowing three runs in the first inning alone, he left the game after only three innings. It’s not a spot where the Rockies want to be: their bullpen is fantastic, but it is being placed under too much stress as the starting pitching falters time and time again. On Friday, Jon Gray gave up seven runs in five innings, and on Wednesday, Kyle Freeland handed over five runs in four innings. Falling behind like this is obviously problematic, and is a certain sign of some of the problems of youth.
Bud Black still has faith in his young lineup, chalking this up to growing pains. The talent is there; that’s not the issue. It’s the execution, and the ability of these young pitchers to step up and deliver. Black has taken a similar attitude to any issues in spring training: it’s early days. He claims not to be overly concerned about the rough start for his pitchers, trusting that they will find their way. I can only hope this is the case, as we have a fantastic bullpen, and if the starters can live up to that as well, that will be the Rockies’ saving grace for the 2018 season.
Colorado Rockies: Noel Cuevas debuts, talks impact on Puerto Rico | Rox Pile
In 2010, right-handed Noel Cuevas was drafted by the LA Dodgers, then he spent the next nine seasons in the minors, the four most recent with the Rockies. I can’t imagine it’s easy to spend that long waiting to get the call up to the majors, but on Sunday, Cuevas finally got it. With Carlos Gonzalez on the DL and Gerardo Parra beginning to serve his suspension, the Rockies needed some extra help, which came in the form of David Dahl and Cuevas. Cuevas has had to work for everything he’s gotten in his baseball career, and while he’s excited to have at last gotten the call, he’s trying to stay cool, reminding himself to play the same game he has all along. Cuevas has done some good work with the Albuquerque Isotopes recently, and he has undoubtedly earned a spot in The Show.
BSN Rockies Podcast: Time to panic about Jon Gray and Ian Desmond? | BSN Denver
On this podcast, Drew Creasman takes a look at Jon Gray and his start to the 2018 season. He’s had a rough go of it so far, to say the least. He also discusses Ian Desmond’s performance, which has also left much to be desired.
Kris Bryant ‘as good as could be expected’ after getting hit in helmet | ESPN
The Rockies and Cubs had a scary moment early in Sunday’s game, with Márquez inadvertently hitting Kris Bryant in the head with a pitch. After some tests, Bryant looks to be out of the woods, concussion-wise, but they are still keeping an eye on him. It was something of an odd game, with both Cubs hitting coaches getting tossed after Bryant’s injury. The coaches got emotional, watching the scary moment of a hitter get struck by a 96-mph fastball, albeit accidentally.