Yes, you read the headline correctly.
The Colorado Rockies are off to a remarkable 11-6 start to the 2017 tour. While the outset of the season is impressive, the formation and durability of Colorado’s bullpen through the clubs first skew of games has been impeccable.
The additions of Mike Dunn and Greg Holland have been pristine acquisitions for the Rockies thus far. A fully healthy Jake McGee and Adam Ottavino, in addition to a developing Carlos Estevez, give the Rockies a nice unit of arms for manager Bud Black to toy with during games.
“We have a lot of different styles,” Adam Ottavino told Mile High Sports. “Buddy’s good at putting us in positions to succeed. I know with me he’s done a good job getting me good matchups. I think it kind of play nice when you have three lefty’s in the pen’ and a bunch of righties. … Anytime you have different stuff out there it can only help you.”
There were a lot of question marks about just how good the bullpen can be prior to the season’s start. Well, almost 20 games into the campaign and Colorado’s bullpen has established themselves as the National League’s best. Their combined ERA of 2.64, 10 saves, and five wins leads the NL.
“We felt good about the group,” Rockies manager Bud Black said of the bullpen. “We thought if healthy and throwing like they are capable of these guys would perform. It’s early in the year, but so far these guys have done great work collectively. … For the bullpen to function all of those guys have to be doing their thing, and that’s what has happened so far.”
The chemistry between relief pitchers has been essential to the success of the Rockies. The bullpen arms have all fed off each other’s game, and have also picked each other up when needed, something that has been critical in molding the pen’ into a successful one out of the gate.
“I think so,” Black said of the bullpen’s chemistry. “I do believe in momentum. I do believe in contagiousness when it comes to performance. I also believe in that players want to hold up their end of the bargain. Nobody wants to be a weak link. I think there is something to that as well.”
The bullpen has the right demeanor to be successful. Maybe it’s the additions of Holland and Dunn, or maybe it’s the revamps of McGee, Ottavino, and Estevez, but whatever way you slice it Colorado’s relief pitchers have compiled to be the best bullpen in the National League so far.
“Regardless lead, tie, behind I think this group that is assembled now does a nice job of going pitch-to-pitch, inning-to-inning, and just recording outs. … The type of games we have been playing have been tight. There’s always that feeling for these guys that every pitch is important. … It’s been a good blend.” Black said.