It may surprise you to learn that there has been one man who has pitched in every one of the Colorado Rockies four wins this season and it isn’t any of the big, flashy, marquee offseason acquisitions. It’s young righty Carlos Estevez who was forced into a closer role early last year but seems to be settling into more of a set-up role.
So far, he has entered all the close games the Rockies have played, missing just their 6-1 loss in Milwaukee. Furthermore, in each game he has pitched, the Rockies had either a one-run lead or one-run deficit. In other words, he has been the workhorse in tight situations for the Rockies so far this year, culminating yesterday when his fourth appearance in five straight games — with no off days — when making himself available meant manager Bud Black could rest Greg Holland, Mike Dunn, and Adam Ottavino.
“Right now I’m feeling good,” Estevez told BSN Denver, confirming that he has been given this evening’s game off. “Normal sore of throwing so much. Yesterday I was available because three other guys were down in the pen but things have been working out great.”
Indeed they have. So far, when Estevez pitches, the Rockies win.
“Estevez had it right in front of him and he responded,” says Black. “Did a nice job. That can only build confidence. I’d say he’s off to a good start. Just keep it rollin’.”
However fans or analysts may feel about some of his more noteworthy collapses a year ago, Estevez has always kept a bright attitude and is learning to thrive on those intense moments.
“It feels great getting thrown out there when the game’s on the line,” he says. “That’s what everyone wants. I just feel great knowing that they have the confidence is everyone right now in those situations. As soon as I was done yesterday, Buddy [Black] told me ‘hey you’ve been doing a good job. Now, you’re going to do [unavailable] because all those guys are good to go, Thank you for that, just keep it going.’ It felt really good. That’s bullpen work, that’s teamwork right there. That’s what we needed.”
It is because of Estevez that the Rockies bullpen is more or less at full strength today and they will need all hands on deck in what figures to be a close game in a marquee pitching match-up between Jon Gray and Clayton Kershaw.
It’s going to take full team efforts to win these kinds of games, these kinds of series, and ultimately a postseason spot. And in that department, the Colorado Rockies and Carlos Estevez are off to a great start.
