Colorado Rockies go "Full Gorilla"

DENVER – When the schedule gets messed up in a baseball season, it can be quite tricky to get it back on track again. With games played nearly every day, throwing things off by just 24 hours can derail the best-laid plans of managers and pitchers.

The Colorado Rockies came into today’s doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs already struggling to juggle a young pitching staff that has done more than almost anyone could have expected or even asked for.

There has been “some conversation,” says manager Bud Black, about making sure guys like Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela stay healthy and strong throughout the year. But he also says there are no strict pitch limits or innings limits. When BSN Denver asked about this, Black responded, “No. They are Full Gorilla.”

Well, we’ve never heard the term “Full Gorilla” before, but it sounds pretty awesome.

Freeland and Senzatela have been pretty gorilla-like on the mound, pounding their chests in victory quite often so far in 2017. The former has posted a record of 3-1 and an ERA of 2.65 which paces Rockies starters, and the latter is 4-1 with a 2.84 ERA and was named National League Rookie of the Month in April.

While Black says he won’t publicly discuss the details of the strategy to keep his young pitchers healthy but gave every indication that there is one. A big x-factor in this conversation is the eventual return of Chad Bettis. BSN Denver has gotten the sense that the Rockies would explore moving to a 6-man rotation when that happens thereby limiting the wear and tear on the young guys in a natural way.

This will be a developing story throughout the season, as much as the Rockies manager doesn’t want to share his plans, he knows full well that the baseball season is a marathon and you better believe he will be looking for ways to make sure Colorado finishes strong.