Wade Davis’ steep decline a riddle the Rockies must solve | Denver Post ($)
On the one hand it almost seems like a flip question to ask if the Rockies can have a good bullpen next season. And yet these turnarounds can and do happen, especially when you have pitchers with track records of success.
Will Wade Davis pitch up to his salary in his time remaining on the Rockies? Probably not, because they aren’t just paying him like a closer — they’re paying him like a dominant closer. But he can still be a good pitcher in the back of the bullpen.
Patrick Saunders points to the juiced baseballs and the toll of Coors Field as possible culprits for Davis’ struggles this season. I tend to agree more with Davis that he just has missed too many locations, especially in key spots. Whatever the explanation, Davis finds himself as one of the biggest problems on a disappointing team in 2019 and also as one of the guys who could play a key role in things turning around in 2020.
Colorado Rockies: “What if” the bullpen performed like 2018? | Rox Pile
While the bullpen last season was not necessarily spectacular, Aaron Hurt looks like at what a similar quality group might have meant for the 2019 season. Improved performance from the bullpen very well might have this team in the wild card race. Unfortunately it would not account for the poor health and poor performances in the starting rotation. The pitching improvements will have to come from all parts of the staff next season.
Rockies apologize after employee tells lesbian couple to stop kissing in public | Outsports
The worst look here goes to the employee on question, for saying that the couple could not kiss because Coors is “a family place” and because “it’s a Sunday.” It’s not necessarily a bad look for the Rockies, at least not yet, but I think they need to be more assertive in their response to an incident where fans were treated this way. Speaking on background and reaching out with free tickets ain’t nearly good enough.
There is lots of interesting stuff from McGregor in this conversation with Nick Groke. I especially appreciate her openness about the fact that she loves the Rockies but still thinks it’s important to be fair in her criticism when they are playing poorly. It’s okay to want the best for the team, to want to defend them, but then to still point out when something doesn’t work. McGregor seems to get that while coming from a truly unique experience with the team. I’m glad she’s part of the Rockies broadcasts.
On the farm
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 9, Sacramento River Cats 0
Double-A: Altoona Curve 8, Hartford Yard Goats 2
High-A: Lancaster JetHawks 10, Inland Empire 66ers 5
Low-A: August GreenJackets 1, Asheville Tourists 0
Short Season-A: Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 4, Boise Hawks 1
Rookie: Ogden Raptors 5, Grand Junction Rockies 3
DSL 1: DSL Colorado 8, DSL Royals2 3
DSL 2: DSL Rockies 10, DSL Twins 4