As spring training came to an end, I remember thinking to myself “It would take a miracle for the Rox to finish above .500 in 2015.”
I’ll admit, after their impressive start to the season and recent hot streak, I found myself questioning that thought. But as the Rockies once again return to the comforts of last place in the NL West, I stand by my preliminary observation.
The Rockies are 6-12 in June. It’s been rough to watch them descent into the basement of the NL West again, especially after they seemed to be on the verge of turning their season around when they split a series with the Giants and won five of six against the Reds and Phillies to close out May.
The biggest theme that I myself have written about this season was the lack of preparation by the Rockies’ front office for 2015. Free agent and former Phillie Kyle Kendrick was inked to a one year deal. But he was bad back in Philadelphia. At sea level.
Whoever got the notion that he would thrive in an environment where the ball explodes off the bat as it does at Coors Field in Denver due to the altitude and thin air is probably sweating bullets every time Kendrick pitches and his ERA continues to float around 6.0.
And Kendrick was really the only “big ticket” free agent signed by the Rox. They did get David Hale from Atlanta, and Hale made a few good starts, but he has been getting roughed up lately. His ERA is now 5.28 and opposing batters are hitting .289 off of him.
Leaning on unproven talent has turned out to be the bane of the Colorado Rockies’ existence. Pitchers Tyler Matzek and Eddie Butler-young guns of whom the Rockies’ management had high hopes-have both been demoted to the minor leagues due to continued struggles.
I also said earlier this year that the Rockies would be out of luck if any of their starters slipped up; there would be no one in the minors ready to come up and help.
But the Rockies called up 28 year-old Chris Rusin and immediately, I was biting my tongue. He came up and made three consecutive great starts. So I admit it, I was wrong.
For about ten days, that is.
In his last two starts, Rusin has been torched. On June 11 vs Miami, he lasted 5⅓ innings, giving up six runs on 11 hits. In his next start against Houston, he lasted four innings, as the Astros got seven runs off of him.
So bow down to your friendly neighborhood pessimistic Rockies writer. Just kidding, my ego isn’t that big, but please understand that Colorado was condemned to a last place finish before the season started.
The offense is looking good, but the offense looked good last season and we all are aware of how the Rockies did last year. Once again, in terms of pitching, not much is panning out.
As with Rusin, I thought I was going to have to eat my words when Chad Bettis made a few good starts. I’ll give Bettis credit though, he’s been fun to watch. You have to feel good for a guy like him who gets thrown into the starting rotation and holds his own.
What worries me is that Bettis has proved that he is touchable. After his most recent star in Houston, where he lasted five innings, giving up five runs on seven hits while taking the loss, I’m worried that he’s going to be the next domino to fall for the Rockies’ pitching.
So what happens in two weeks when Rusin has a few more rough starts? When Kendrick continues to struggle and when Bettis gets pounded again? If the Rockies were short on help a month ago, I think you can imagine where they are now.
Matzek and Butler are gone for the moment, and Jordan Lyles is on the 60 day DL. I don’t like the way this is sounding.
I’m sorry Rockies fans, but I think 2015 is a lost cause for the Rox.
Contact CU Independent Rockies Beat Writer Justin Guerriero at justin.guerriero@colorado.edu and follow him on Twitter @TheHungry_Hippo
