Slippery Slope to Climb after a Uninspiring Homestand

The Colorado Rockies think they got what it takes to make it to the playoffs, and rightfully so.  The team continues to woo fans one minute and leave them in disappointment another minute later.

This recent ten game homestead was the best opportunity for the Rockies to gauge where they stand heading into the homestretch of the regular season.  When the homestand began, they were sitting at 46-51, sitting 5.5 back of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Things got off to a decent start for the Rox against the Chicago Cubs as they took two of three in the series. 

Then came the Miami Marlins, the team that is sitting with the second worst record in the MLB.  Coming into the series against the Rockies, the Marlins hit a eight game stretch without sending in a run.  The Marlins found the remedy in pitcher Drew Promeranz.  Promeranz continues to struggle since being called up from AAA Colorado Springs.  Promeranz went 4.1 innings deep, giving up three runs, including two in the first inning to let the Marlins win 3-1. 

In the sweet confines of Coors Field, against the talent-depleted Marlins squad, the Rockies struggled to get the bats warmed up, scoring more than two runs only once in the series.  The back end of the rotation continues to be a problem.  Juan Nicasio has come around, since being shelled by the Red Sox, Nicasio has pitched nineteen innings, giving up eight hits, one run with fifteen strikeouts. 

Pomeranz hasn't done anything to show that he deserves to be up in the big leagues right now, Roy Oswalt has struggled since being called up from AA Tulsa, and Jeff Francis on occasion was able to limit his runs given up to less than two on few occasions.  Despite the fact that when they do get solid pitching from the back end (i.e. Nicasio) they don't get the support needed by the bats.

In Jhoulys Chacin's last outing, he gave up three runs in eight innings.  The Rox offense did little to help out their own guy.  Carlos Gonzales, Troy Tulowitzki, Michael Cuddyer and Todd Helton went a combined 2-15.  As a result, the Rox lost on a day where Chacin would have used some reinforcements, but none were found in a 4-2 loss to the Fins.

As a result, the Rox finish their homestand 5-5 where realistically, they could have and needed to finish 7-3.  Had they done so, they would be sitting at .500, and sitting at four games out of the lead.  Now they sit at 51-55 and six games back.  Given the teams stance on making impact moves to get talent, where they currently sit, don't bank on the Rox to either buy or sell.  They will continue to hope their own talent will work out and not expand the payroll to get better talent to help compete with the LA Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West, a division that is still open for anyone to win.