Takeaways from the first three games in San Diego

In a back-and-forth with the media in Arizona, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black mused on the old baseball truism that every team will win 60 games and every team will lose 60 games; it’s what you do with the other 42 that counts.

One way to look at this whole dynamic is to recognize that there are just some games, no matter how well you show up, that you are just going to lose no matter what.

The last three games Colorado played in San Diego fit firmly into one of the first two categories, one for the Padres, two for the Rockies. You just don’t often find a way to win when somebody on the other team goes yard three times and knocks in five runs. Similarly, if your club can get five innings of two-run ball out of a starter with no command of his fastball while smashing three homers yourself, you’re almost certainly going to win that game.

But that doesn’t mean there is nothing we can learn from these three contest. Let’s look at a few takeaways from the San Diego series thus far:

Ian Desmond:

As we discussed after the Arizona series, it’s early yet and reaching dramatic conclusions that anything is much different than it was a year ago is foolish. That being said, Desmond is showing all the signs of a player who has made all the right adjustments. His 8-for-19 (.421 batting average) start is nice, but the nature of his extra-base hits is what is most intriguing. His double and two home runs have all gone to the opposite field in exactly the way his new swing is designed to produce lift.

Adding the old Ian Desmond to this lineup could be a game-changer in the NL West.

Starting Pitching:

Kyle Freeland managed to pitch into the sixth inning Tuesday, but just barely, getting one out before being replaced by Scott Oberg as the game slipped away from the Rockies. Jon Gray finally gave them a seven-inning performance on Wednesday.

In almost any scenario—99 times out of 100—I would be in agreement with those concerned about the sustainability of the starting pitching merely getting through the first few innings. And ideally speaking, it is still better the deeper your starting pitching can go.

However, with the Rockies’ backend of Adam Ottavino, Jake McGee, Bryan Shaw, and Wade Davis throwing 12.1 innings so far while allowing just one earned run, striking 15 batters, and giving up just four hits and three walks, it looks like they can maybe get away with this for a while. Chris Rusin hasn’t been his usual sharp self yet, and neither has Antonio Senzatela, leaving room for the bullpen to improve naturally.

And then there is the depth in Carlos Estevez and Jairo Diaz who are waiting in the wings to step in for any injuries or should Oberg continue to struggle. It may not be feasible for any bullpen to pick up four innings every night. But if it is, it’ll be this ‘pen.

Trevor Story:

Story is undoubtedly in a funk but at least he has gotten the strikeouts a little bit under control, not yet having one in San Diego. His two-run, ground-rule double could be a sign of things to come.

He still isn’t recognizing pitches well out of the hand right now and appears to be guessing a bit more than is ideal, but he is trusting his quick hands more and I suspect is about to come out of this slump.

Either way, the Rockies need Story. Pat Valaika is a fine player but perfectly suited for a bench role and likely not an everyday shortstop on a contender. And, until Brendan Rodgers is ready in August at the earliest, Colorado doesn’t have any other options at shortstop. Story’s defense means that there won’t be a panic to replace him, and the way his bat came around last season has earned him some extra leash. But right now, even sitting him for a day here or there can be dicey.

Chris Iannetta:

For those who scoffed at the offseason acquisition of new/old catcher Chris Iannetta, the early returns may be turning you around. He currently leads the club with a .467 batting average (7-for-15) and drove in a pair of runs in yesterday’s game. His sound fundamental play in every aspect of the game has been an upgrade in every way over what the Rockies got from the catcher position until trading for Jonathan Lucroy last season.

A world beater he is not, but the Rockies are going to win a few of those 42 decisive games this year because of Chris Iannetta.

Charlie Blackmon:

The only reason he didn’t have five home runs in five games is that his blast on Tuesday went foul. People expecting—for the fourth year in a row—some regression from the Bearded One are in for yet another rude awakening. He’s got contract security for the next six years too, so he can also play relaxed.

Looking Ahead:

Tyler Anderson needs to follow in Gray’s footsteps and put the disastrous start in Arizona firmly behind him.