2013 vs. 2011

The Rockies have started off with a bang this year winning a Team record 7 straight home games to start a season, and overall record of 12-4.   Just two short years ago, the Rockies got off to a similar start going 17-8 in April.    On April 22nd of that year I stated:

It probably sounds absurd to say that a team that is 13-5, needs to play better, but it really feels that way with the Rockies. But then looking at the stats, it seems like they are playing well, it just doesn't feel like it. They are 2nd in the league in runs scored per game, at 5.50 rpg. They are 9th in the league in Average, but 3rd in OBP. It also seems like they are striking out less often, but in reality, their K's per game are slightly higher than last year. And with all the talk of Dexter Fowler's improvement, he leads the team in strikeouts with 22. That's way too many for a leadoff hitter.

The pitching has not been too bad, but it's only average in League terms. ERA is 9th in the league at 3.74. Strikeouts are 12th, Walks are 8th. They are 1st in Wild Pitches. 

I point this out not to disparage the team as a half-empty perspective but actually to look at it from a half-full perspective. The wins have depended a lot on their defense and league leading Double Plays. But the 13-5 record including 7 straight wins, has not been because of any kind of solid roll, but because key things happen in each game. 

When the Rockies put their hitting and or pitching together consistently with the fielding, this team could go on a serious winning streak. 

At that time their fielding was carrying them (of course, that's also dependent on pitching).  A couple weeks later, the bubble would burst and the Rockies would go 56-81 after May 1st and 64-98 in 2012 (a combined 121-179 in Jim Tracy's last 300 games.)

This year feels different.  Obviously everything is clicking at once, good pitching, good hitting and good fielding, and there will come a point in the season that one of those will have to pick up the others.  But this year the entire lineup is contributing, the starting pitching is going longer in games, which makes the bullpen stronger, and the players are also making great plays.  

And ultimately this team may not even contend.  The toll of 162 games certainly has it's ups and downs, but the makeup of this team seems to be fun to watch.  

And for now we can ride the wave....