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Monday, July 27, 2020

Neutral Elevation Judgment


After 3 games in somebody else's stadium [Globe Life], the Rockies seem to indicate improvement. Which helps.

I think the biggest indicator is the pitching. Kyle Freeland, German Marquez and Jon Gray all had low ERAs and a few strikeouts this series, with only Marquez ending up with a loss. Wade Davis, much maligned in 2019, already has 2 saves. Daniel Bard, who hasn't played since Todd Helton was still with the team, pitched steadily in relief and got a win for himself.

Is it likely  that the pitching's doing so well because the Rox are away from Coors Field? Or has there actually been an improvement in these guys. A lot of people who struggled last year, including Davis and Freeland, seem to be off to pretty nice starts. It's either an indicator or an omen.

The lineup isn't bad either. Trevor Story was easily  the standout of the first series with 2 home runs, Daniel Murphy and David Dahl are off to impressive starts, and...well, Nolan Arenado is Nolan Arenado. True, Blackmon and Wolters aren't really hitting yet, but...again, Coors Field will help.

This being said, should I be worried that when we see this team in a neutralized stadium, the pitching arguably does more than the hitting? Should German Marquez be worried about starting the home opener on Friday?

All this anxiety aside, I'm glad the Rockies seem to be  doing better than they did in 2019, and I'm glad it's them and the Padres who are doing the best in the NL West [aside from the Dodgers].

Coming Tonight: One of the outfielders given the daunting task of replacing Mookie Betts in Boston.

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