Reds vs. Rockies: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

Rockies’ pitching has been terrible – wash, rinse, repeat.

When you play 81 games a year in the thin mountain air, pitcher’s ERAs will suffer. It’s been that way since the Colorado Rockies entered the league and 1993, and, quite frankly, it’s never going to change.

So far, the 2021 season has been no different. Colorado started play yesterday with a National League worst 5.29 ERA. But wait, there’s more. Rockies pitching has also surrendered the most hits and second-most walks in the senior circuit. Needless to say, their 1.530 WHIP is the NL’s highest by a wide margin.

Whether it’s the starting rotation or the bullpen, Colorado hurlers have trouble retiring hitters. As play began Wednesday, the Colorado Rockies starters had a 5.29 ERA, while the relief corps produced a nearly identical 5.28 ERA. Manager Bud Black simply has nowhere to turn to consistently record outs.

Surprisingly the Colorado offense has been much less than its regular potent self. The Rockies’ 36 round-trippers going into Wednesday was 10th among NL clubs, and their .301 OBP ranks 13th in the league. Colorado is not a patient bunch to make matters worse, as evidenced by their second-worst 99 free passes drawn.

However, it’s not all bad news in the Mile High City. Second baseman Ryan McMahon is off to a solid start at the dish. The left-handed slugger leads the Rockies with eight homers and 22 RBIs entering play Wednesday.

Shortstop Trevor Story is having a typical Trevor Story-like season. The two-time All-Star and impending free agent is slashing .278/.350/.484 with four home runs. I wonder if there’s another team who could use an upgrade at the shortstop position?