By Jordan Long
The Colorado Rockies’ 2018 season came to a close yesterday with a 6-0 loss to the Milwaukie Brewers in game 3 of the Division Series. It was a disappointing end to the year. The Rockies accomplished a lot this year even though the postseason success wasn’t there.
Heading into the season the pitching was a question mark. Colorado was hoping the starting pitching would set the tone in games. Once starters were out, the relievers were going to keep them in games. The pitching ERA was 4.33, 20th in all of baseball, not great but not the worst.
Starting pitchers’ ERA was 18th at 4.17. They kept the Rockies in games because they could pitch 6 or 7 innings. When they did, it made it easier on the bullpen. The bullpen wasn’t great saving the Rockies in games. They gave up too many runs which cost the Rockies games. The relievers’ ERA was 4.62 a dismal 26th in the league.
What helped the Rockies achieve a playoff spot was the hitting. They were 6th in team batting average at .256. They hit the long ball with a total of 210. Batters were patient at the plate and didn’t try to swing at first pitches. Colorado struck out 1,397 times in the regular season, 12th most in all of baseball. The pitching and hitting helped Colorado earn the 2nd Wild Card spot.
With a 2-1 victory in 13 innings over the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card game, it was off to the Division Series against the Brewers. Colorado hoped the success of the regular season would carry over to the postseason. It didn’t. The starting pitching kept the Rockies in the games with an ERA against the Brewers of 2.81. The bullpen struggled and couldn’t keep the Brewers off the scoreboard. Anytime manager Bud Black put in a pitcher, he gave up runs, not a recipe for success. The bullpen ERA in 3 games was 6.75
The pitching wasn’t the only reason Colorado didn’t win a game against the Brewers. The hitting for whatever reason went away. Colorado swung after pitches outside and low in the zone, something they didn’t do much of during the regular season equaling 30 strikeouts. With their struggles at the plate, they hit .146. When Colorado had a chance to score against the Brewers, they hit into double plays or weren’t able to drive the run in. The Rockies hit a disappointing .059 with runners in scoring position.
Looking back at the year, the Rockies can hold their heads up high. The goal is to win a World Series but it wasn’t going to happen this year. They ended up going further in the playoffs than last season which was to the Division Series. 11 other teams in the National League wished they could have switched spots with the Rockies.
In the offseason, the Rockies have a few decisions to make. They need to decide if they want to bring back DJ Lemahieu, Carlos Gonzalez, Gerardo Parra, and Adam Ottavino who are all going to hit free agency. Lemahieu is the one batter they need to bring back. Lemahieu hit .276 with 15 home runs and 62 RBI’s in the regular season. His glove is the other reason they want to sign him. Colorado trusted him at 2nd base and he made an impressive 4 errors all year.
If these players aren’t back on the team, Colorado has a chance to make it back to the postseason next season. They proved they can play in the tough National League West. The goal has to be to win the National League West Division for the first time in franchise history and go further than the Division Series. In the offseason, Colorado will do what is best to improve the team.
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