Jorge De La Rosa is without a doubt the Colorado Rockies’ No. 1 starter. It’s a position he’s held for several years now, dating back to his bounceback season in 2013 when he went 16-6 with a 3.49 ERA. But his grip on that spot slipped a bit last year as he struggled to a 9-7 finish with a 4.17 ERA.

The Rockies as a team struggled mightily, compiling the worst team ERA in baseball and the worst ERA as starters. Their 41 wins as starters were second-worst in baseball. Still, De Le Rosa was one of two starters for Colorado who finished the year with a winning record. The other, Chad Bettis, came as a bit of a surprise.

In 20 starts, Bettis battled to an 8-6 record and a 4.23 ERA – both good for second-best after De La Rosa among Rockies starters. The result has Bettis sitting in the No. 2 spot in the rotation, and with only two starts remaining for the right hander before the regular season, he told the media Monday he’s coming into form just in time for the season.

Chad Bettis Postgame 03.21.16

“I think it’s the best I’ve felt all spring,” Bettis said about his start on Monday. Despite giving up three runs in the third inning against Texas, he was happy with his command especially working down and away.

Bettis picked up the win, even after staking the Rangers a three-run lead.

Colorado answered with two runs in the fourth and fifth, then three in the sixth. Bettis went five innings allowing only those three runs while striking out three.

He was happy with the way his team bounced back immediately after giving up an early lead.

Bouncing back was really the tale of Bettis’ season last year. After getting out to a 2-0 start, he lost back-to-back games to run his record even. He did the same thing over his next four starts and was 4-4 at the midway point of the season. He stretched his record to 8-5 at one point before dropping his final start.

His bulldog mentality throughout the season is a big reason he’s penciled in at the No. 2 spot, despite the fact that he doesn’t have overpowering pitches. He’s already dialing in that same mentality this year, even in spring training.

“It’s spring training, but that being said, that’s kind of who I am. I lay it all out there and try and do the best for my team,” Bettis said.

BONUS: Bettis was asked about how he’d pitch teammate Nolan Arenado, who is currently hitting .629 in spring training. “Very carefully,” Bettis said.