Rockies-Dodgers Series Grades: Two special starts

The Colorado Rockies faced off against another division rival and this time were able to win two of three in another extremely close series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Using our advanced statistics and our-in-house all-encompassing metric DPR, here are our individual grades.

Note, the scores below are each player’s average DPR for the series, all Rockies stats can be found here.

Trevor Story (80.39 — A-): Story had himself a great series as his run of form continues—he’s now passed Charlie Blackmon in DPR and is nipping at the heels of Brandon Crawford and Trea Turner as the best SS in the NL per our metric.

Story reached the basepaths twice in each game this series with a double in each game as well, while also limiting his strikeouts. By far Colorado’s best offensive performance.

DJ LeMahieu (38.16 — D-): After a great series against the Giants, LeMahieu came back down to earth, going 2-for-13 in the series with two strikeouts and grounding into two double plays. His WPA (win probability added) was in the minus each game.

Nolan Arenado (69.30 — B-): Arenado had two prolific games in the 90s and a poor second game with three strikeouts. He had two home runs in the series and added three RBIs. Unlike DJ, Nolan’s WPA was positive in all three games which upped his score.

Charlie Blackmon (41.27 — D): Blackmon’s struggles continued as he’s now not had a high-end performance since June 21st. Charlie only started the first two games contributing a hit, off of seven ABs, and striking out once. He wasn’t terrible but did little to contribute to the Rox two wins.

Noel Cuevas (6.91 — F): Cuevas played in game one and was able to do very little against lefty Rich Hill, striking out three times in four ABs.

Ian Desmond (57.31 — C): Desmond was solid, if unspectacular. His high score in the series came in game two where he hit a homer that was key in a low-scoring win. He still struck out a third of the time he was at the plate but had a hit in each game.

Carlos Gonzalez (30.64 — F): CarGo started the series off with a pinch-hit K in game one, then had three more strikeouts in game two. He did manage to get a hit and a run in game three which salvaged his series some, but not enough to prevent him from getting an F.

Chris Iannetta (62.35 — C+): Iannetta’s solid contributions continued. His home run in game one was essential and he added an RBI single in game two. The problem is he struck out over half of his plate appearances and didn’t have any extra-base knocks outside of the game-one homer.

Gerardo Parra (57.77 — C): Parra only started the last two games and struggled, managing only a walk and a strikeout in his first five plate appearances. He picked it up in game three with two hits and a run. His costly error in that game isn’t factored into his DPR, but shouldn’t be forgotten as it was a major factor to the Rocks lone loss.

Tom Murphy (23.29 — F): Murphy’s one start wasn’t anything to write home about. He did contribute a single but also struck out the three other ABs he had.

Pat Valaika (60.88 — C+): In the one game he started, Valaika was solid with a crucial solo home run in game one. His score is lowered by a pinch-hit at-bat that didn’t go his way in game three, but you can’t hold that against him too much.

Tyler Anderson (95.65 — ⭐): Anderson was absolutely stellar in game one, pitching eight lights-out scoreless innings. The lefty was on top of his game tossing 67-percent of his pitches for strikes and adding eight Ks. His 0.555 WPA, 81 game score, and 1.54 FIP were incredibly impressive as well.

As if that wasn’t enough, Anderson also added two singles on three at-bats. If not for another great start by German Marquez he’d be the series MVP.

German Marquez (97.30 — ⭐): German was outstanding with his best performance of the year in eight innings. He did allow a run off a solo homer but only conceded another hit the entire game while striking out nine. He threw 69 percent of his pitches for strikes and didn’t walk anyone in a masterful outing, adding a hit as well.

Wade Davis (35.78 — D-): Davis got the save in game one, which is really all that matters. He did give up a homer though, and his FIP was sky high (12.16). He did manage two strikeouts though, so it wasn’t as bad an outing as his DPR might suggest.

Adam Ottavino (-17.26 — F): Ottavino was once again the only reliever to be utilized in multiple games and once again had some bad luck involved in his low score. At least one of the two runs he allowed in game three wasn’t his fault but he hasn’t been untouchable as he was earlier in the season either. His outing in game two was much better as he managed a clean outing and got the save.

Otto’s now dropped from being the second best reliever in the majors to the ninth.

Chad Bettis (54.03 — C-): Bettis’ outing was cut short due to a callus on his right middle finger. He was far from stellar in the three innings he pitched, allowing two runs and walking two while throwing only 51-percent of his pitches for strikes.

Chris Rusin (48.53 — D+): Rusin came in to relieve Bettis in game three and try to eat up some innings. His outing was mixed, throwing a high percentage of strikes but allowing a key run that allowed the Dodgers to get back into the game.

Scott Oberg (82.99 — A-): Oberg was money allowing a hit in 1.2 innings but then shutting the Dodgers offense down with two strikeouts while inducing two ground balls. His 0.75 FIP and WPA of 0.161 were impressive.

Mike Dunn (84.51 — A-): In his first appearance in the majors since June 7th, Dunn was solid, getting the two outs he was asked to get. He pounded the strike zone and was in control. According to DPR, this was his best outing since May 22nd against the Dodgers.