Through 20 games in April, the Rockies have been good in some areas, but they could use some improvement in others.
They've won three of their last four, raising their record to 8-12 and putting them five games behind the division-leading Dodgers. Their offense has scored the second-most runs in the division, but the pitchers allow more runs than any other team in the division.
The Good: Individual Performance
Among the few bright spots on the team, you can look at the individual performances. Starter Jason Marquis is 3-1, while reliever Jason Grilli's 1.08 ERA is second-best on the team. Batting-wise, there is right fielder Brad Hawpe, who's .328 batting average with 16 runs driven in has bolstered the offense. Todd Helton and Garrett Atkins also have 15 and 11 RBI, respectively.
Individual Performance Grade: B+
If players who are playing good baseball can continue their performances throughout the season, the team should be okay. However, it's the players who aren't contributing as much, like Troy Tulowitzki, and Chris Ianetta, who are hurting this team. If each player contributed equally, the Rockies would be a much better team.
The Bad: Late inning pitching
Other than Jason Grilli, the Rockies' relievers' ERA is very poor. Closers Huston Street and Manny Corpas both boast ERA of 6.10, and Matt Belisle has an ERA of 11.25 in eight appearances. Street, who leads the team in pitching appearances, is 0-1 with just two saves, and Corpas is 0-2 with a 1.74 WHIP.
In the Rockies' latest game against the Padres, the Rockies were up 7-0 in the seventh inning, but ended up barely winning, 7-5. They are 0-5 in one-run games this year, and 1-8 in two-run games this year, with their only win in a two-run game coming against the Padres on Wednesday.
Late Inning Pitching Grade: D+
If Jason Grilli can get more appearances, and pitchers Huston Street and Manny Corpas can pitch to their ability, this grade can easily raise up.
The Ugly: Pitching and scoring inconsistencies
The Rockies had, at one point in the season, lost 10 of 12 games in mid-April, including games at home against the Phillies, at Chicago, at Los Angeles, at Arizona, and at home against the Dodgers.
In the first four games and last four games of the month, the Rockies are 6-2.
In every other game, they are 2-10.
During the Rockies' big losing stretch, they compiled -26 run differential in 12 games. If the Rockies want to play October baseball, they must start scoring runs consistently, and keep themselves in games by not allowing runs.
Inconsistency Grade: C
The Rockies have shown promise in their last four games of April, but they need to carry that consistency into May.
Awards
Best Rockies Hitter: Brad Hawpe
.328 batting average, two home runs, 16 RBI, 29 times on base in 17 games played.
Best Rockies Pitchers: Jason Marquis and Jason Grilli
Marquis owns over 37% of the team's wins in just four starts, and has struck out 13 in 26.1 innings pitched. Grilli has 11 strikeouts in 8.1 innings pitched, posting a 1.08 ERA.
Overall Rockies Team Grade: C-
Not bad, but not good. Showed signs of improvement as of late, but improvement from the bullpen and offense.
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