Rockies’ aggression on the basepaths is paying dividends | The Denver Post ($)
Colorado had stolen 21 bases going into Friday, trailing only the Marlins and Padres for the National League lead. “Would-be Rockies base thieves had been thrown out only three times.”
Trevor Story leads the team in stolen bases, swiping eight bags in nine attempts. Colorado has also stolen three times as many bases on the road compared to home.
The Rockies stole three bases against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, well above their 0.68 per game average. Seattle and Miami are currently the only teams to average over one stolen base per game.
Patrick Saunders writes further on Friday’s celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, as well as an injury report for a few Rockies players. “Outfielder David Dahl (sore back and side), and right-handers Chi Chi Gonzalez (right biceps tendinitis) and Wade Davis (shoulder strain) are all close to returning from the injured list.”
Saunders: Trevor Story has emerged as Rockies’ voice, in and out of the clubhouse | The Denver Post ($)
Last winter: “Trevor is one of the few elite players who have the leadership gene in him,” [Cory] Sullivan said. “When it does come out, he is going to be unstoppable. Typically, leaders are role players, but with Trevor, it’s screaming to come out.”
Saunders wrote an additional piece on Friday afternoon about Story’s presence, leading the team in home runs and runs scored, and bringing with him a .306 average and .999 OPS going into Friday.
Following Thursday’s postponement, Matt Kemp said a lot of players “poured their hearts out” in discussions, and he highlights how Story chimed in. Saunders also discusses how Story makes himself routinely available to the media. “During this strange year, he’s frequently made time to appear on the Zoom interviews that allow us to cover the team as best we can.”
Padres’ Adrian Morejon: Set to start Saturday | CBS Sports
The Padres will send left-hander Adrian Morejon to the mound this evening for his third start of the season, and the fifth start of his MLB career.
His season debut came on August 18 against Texas, where he posted three shutout frames and allowed a single baserunner by way of a walk. His next and most recent outing came against Houston, where he allowed three earned over 1 2⁄3 innings. He has yet to exceed the 40-pitch mark this season, so the Padres bullpen may be called for some additional work this evening.
Padres notes: Bullpenpalooza at Coors Field; Pomeranz due back | The San Diego Union-Tribune
“How about this for an adventure? The Padres are essentially preparing for two bullpen games at Coors Field.”
After Morejon’s start tonight, Chris Paddack will take the ball on Sunday. For the Monday game, Padres manager Jayce Tingler has left the starting spot “fairly open,” seeing how his team can work through the first two games of the series.
Padres beat writer Kevin Acee writes that Joey Lucchesi is on San Diego’s taxi squad for the series, and he “would seem to be the favorite to start Monday.” He has started 58 games for the Padres over the past three years.
Acee further notes that ex-Rockie Drew Pomeranz, now with the Padres, is due back from a shoulder injury.
By the Numbers: The Rockies At Coors Field — On the Mound, At the Plate | Sports Illustrated
The cowboy Tracy Ringolsby points out that the Rockies are in a 21-game stretch where 14 matchups are against the division-leading Dodgers or second-place Padres. He says the location is the kicker: about two-thirds of those matchups are at Coors Field.
Ringolsby runs a deep analysis on Colorado’s performance at home this year, complete with many statistical tables.
Colorado closes the regular season home schedule on September 20th, followed by eight scheduled road games.
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