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Colorado Rockies starters are struggling early in games

Rockies news and links for August 7, 2018

Colorado Rockies: The stunning numbers around the first 30 pitches | Rox Pile

Rockies’ starting pitchers have had a fair share of issues pitching in the first inning. At Rox Pile, Kevin Henry broke down the struggles pitch for pitch. Through the first 15 pitches of a game, the Rockies have a 4.91 ERA, the worst mark in baseball. From pitches 16-30, their 6.82 ERA is also the worst in MLB. Things get a lot brighter for pitches 31-45, when the team’s ERA is a sparkling 2.98. A first-inning ERA of 7.70 (which, yes, is the worst in all of baseball) has been very perplexing for Manager Bud Black, and he and starter Jon Gray spoke to Henry about how they are working to prevent such problems from reoccurring.

Journal: Thoughts on the Rockies’ closer, Trevor Story and Jon Gray after wild win | The Denver Post ($)

Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post gathered his thoughts from a wild weekend in Milwaukee as the Rockies salvaged one of three games against the Brewers. Saunders mentions his “running debate” with Black about the possibility of taking Wade Davis out of the closer role for the Rockies, a notion that Black has brushed aside. Saunders also notes Trevor Story’s recent stretch of excellence, the offensive struggles of all three of the roster’s catchers, and Jon Gray pitching seven-plus innings for the fourth consecutive start. That marks the first time in Gray’s career he has accomplished such a feat, and the first Rockie to do so since Jhoulys Chacin did in 2013.

BSN Rockies Podcast: Colorado salvages a dramatic win in Milwaukee | BSN Denver

In the latest episode of the BSN Rockies podcast, Drew Creasman also focuses on the final game of the series in Milwaukee. The ninth inning struggles of Adam Ottavino and Tom Murphy in Sunday’s game are discussed, while the feats of Gray and Nolan Arenado receive their due as well. Creasman also ponders if Story is on his way to being the best shortstop in Rockies’ history.

Colorado Rockies: The epic taco’s droughts of 2018 | Rox Pile

There’s been a disturbing lack of “taco’s” tweets on my Twitter feed lately as the Rockies have not scored seven or more runs in a game since June 20! Rox Pile’s Aaron Hurt wonders if “doors are on the verge of being boarded up” at local Taco Bell’s due to the Rockies’ lack of run scoring.

The Colorado Rockies will probably miss the playoffs, and I’m OK with that | Rox Pile

By no means are the Rockies out of contention, but if they want to make the postseason, they will certainly have to earn it, as they are looking to leapfrog some very talented teams in both the National League West and in the Wild Card standings. FanGraphs only gives the Rox an 18% chance of making the postseason. Missing out on October baseball wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, writes Rox Pile’s Colin Gaiser, as the prospects rising through the pipeline make the Rockies a team set up for success in 2019 and beyond.

Colorado Rockies: NL Wild Card is out of the question | Rox Pile

On the other side of the equation, Rox Pile’s Olivia Greene says that even making a Wild Card spot won’t be satisfactory for the 2018 Rockies- they must win the NL West. To be the top dog in the division, Greene writes that the bullpen must be better.

Bettis, Taillon share survivor bond | Rockies.com

Chad Bettis of the Rockies and Jameson Taillon of the Pittsburgh Pirates recently chatted about their respective pesky issues with blisters. Much simpler times for two guys who both have recently recovered from testicular cancer. Bettis will return from his blister injury on Tuesday night (opposed by Taillon, no less), with Antonio Senzatela being removed from the rotation and placed on the 10-Day Disabled List with a minor shoulder injury.

Which players will be on the same team in 2025? | MLB.com

Which players will still be with their current teams in 2025? MLB.com’s Will Leitch thinks Arenado will still be with the Rockies.