Story Time Out

 

Under normal circumstances I'd be posting a San Francisco Giants custom, as they're in prime playoff position and playing well, but they're the latest team to pull the short straw and have a player test positive for COVID. So...here is a member of the fourth-place Rockies instead.

I will give the Rockies credit here- you asked me who would be excelling for the Rox this year during the offseason, I'd have probably given you the ones that are. Story, Blackmon, Freeland, Marquez, Arenado, Senzatela. The top hitters, the top pitchers. I'd probably guess that some random pick-up would come through and do some impressive numbers [both Daniel Bard and Matt Kemp apply here]. Probably an impressive rookie or two in there as well [Ryan Castellani and Josh Fuentes]. And that's exactly what's happened. The guys you thought would do well this year in Denver are doing well. There's just not much else going on.

Unlike the 2018 squad that snuck into the playoffs, this version of the team is missing some depth. A lot of the younger players the team has banked on, like Ryan McMahon, Raimel Tapia, Garrett Hampson and Sam Hilliard, are only doing okay. David Dahl was an All Star last year and he's still hitting below the Mendoza line. Tony Wolters is hitting .214 and backtracking on his breakout year last year. Carlos Estevez is struggling a year after lighting up the NL West in relief last year. It's just not going the way this team has planned.

Even worse, thanks to the Giants, the Rockies are just outside of the playoff race. They're a game and a half behind St. Louis, who are good enough to hold them off. And even if the Giants are out for a bit, catching up to them will be tricky, even if they are stood in place. The Rockies have to play two first place teams coming up, the A's and Dodgers. Both won't be easy, even if they're at-home matches.

It's sad, because this season is a waste of another excellent performance by Trevor Story, who's leading the league in steals AS WELL AS sporting great numbers in the home run, average and RBIs categories. As much as Arenado is the face of the franchise, Story might be the best all-around player on the team, and he's having yet another phenomenal year. I just don't know if it'll be enough.

Coming Tomorrow- Inigo slowly rises, the dagger in his chest, stepping with all of his strength towards the six-fingered man. "Good heavens", remarked Count Rugen, "are you still trying to win?"